All ratepayers in the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder will be sent an annual rate notice at the beginning of the financial year. It will state the rates due for the financial year, as well as the cost of waste collection and sewerage maintenance.
A sewerage rate based on a specific area is levied to ensure the City’s sewerage system is maintained. Separate charges are made for rubbish collection.
Local Authority Rates are a levy based upon Gross Rental Values and Unimproved Values, determined by the Valuer General.
Rates are calculated by multiplying 2 values, subject to a minimum rate:
- Gross rental value of the property
- Rate in the dollar value
To allow for more equitable distribution of the total rate burden, a minimum rate is applied. A minimum rate will be set for properties assessed on both the Gross Rental Valuation formula and the Unimproved Valuation formula. A minimum rate ensures that every property makes a contribution to providing services and facilities for the community.
Rates are the responsibility of the current owner of a property. New owners and those transferring ownership do have a legal responsibility to inform local authorities when a change in ownership or the address for service of notice occurs.
Rates pay for facilities and services provided by the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, including William Grundt Memorial Library, Eastern Goldfields Community Centre, Goldfields Art Centre, Goldfields Oasis, Kalgoorlie Golf Course, Kalgoorlie and Boulder Town Halls, roads, street lights, footpaths, infant health centres, parks and reserves.
What is a Gross Rental ValueThe Gross rental value (GRV) is an estimate of the rent a property could earn in a year. Vacant properties are valued at 5% of the current market price of the entire property.
Each property's GRV is determined by Landgate, an independent agency of the Western Australian Government, and reviewed every 4 years. The most recent review was undertaken in 2015/16. The next review is scheduled for 2019/20.
Property valuations are sent from Landgate to the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and we are not able to alter the GRV without the advice of Landgate.
To check the accuracy of the GRV (found in the top right of the rates notice), divide the total by 52. This should give you the weekly rental rate of the property, as determined by Landgate.
If you wish to dispute the value of your property, and thus your rate payment, please visit the Landgate Website which provides more information, including a downloadable Objections to valuation form. Hardcopies of the form are also available at the City's Administration Office.
The completed objection form must be lodged within 60 days of the issue of your annual rate notice.
Rate in the dollar valueThe rate in the dollar value is set by the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Council as part of the annual budget. The budget process determines the cost of all our services, facilities and operations, and thus the total amount of revenue required.
About 30% of our total income comes from rates, with the rest coming from interest, grants, fees and charges, and reserve transfers. The rate in dollar is then calculated based on the income required to be raised, and the total value of all the properties in the City.
Objections cannot be made against the rate in the dollar value or other charges levied by the Council.
Differential RatingThe City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s aim is to ensure that rate revenue is collected on an equitable basis from all properties. For this reason Council has adopted differential rates for the 2018/19 financial year.
Differential rating allows Council flexibility in the level of rates being raised from specifically identified properties or groups of properties within the community. It is common for councils to base differential rating for properties on Town Planning Scheme zonings however other criteria such as land use may be used.
The rates in the dollar ($) for GRV & UV rate categories are calculated to provide the shortfall in revenue required to make up the budget deficiency to enable the City to provide the level and range of works and services required in the 2018/19 financial year after taking into account all non-rate sources of revenue.
Gross Rental Values (GRV) | GRV – Residential | 6.4860 cents per $, with minimum rate of $907.00 |
| GRV – Central Business | 6.8098 cents per $, with minimum rate of $907.00 |
| GRV – General Industry | 7.3531 cents per $, with minimum rate of $907.00 |
| GRV – Mining | 4.6758 cents per $, with minimum rate of $970.00 |
| GRV – Other Properties | 7.2631 cents per $, with minimum rate of $907.00 |
| UV - Mining Operations | 18.3672 cents per $, with minimum rate of $393.00 |
| UV - Exploration/Prospecting | 18.3647 cents per $, with minimum rate of $282.00 |
| UV - Pastoral | 7.7020 cents per $, with minimum rate of $282.00 |
The Emergency Services Levy (ESL) is a State Government charge applicable to all properties in WA, which is invoiced and collected by local governments on behalf of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). The ESL provides the majority of funding required for career and volunteer Fire & Emergency Services brigades, DEFS multi-function brigades/units, Bush Fire brigades and State Emergency Service units.
The amount of ESL to be collected, and the applicable rates and charging parameters, are declared annually by the Minister for Emergency Services.
For more information please refer to the ESL section of the DFES website or enquire on (08) 9395 9300.
Sanitation Charges (rubbish collection)The sanitation charge covers a 240 litre bin collected weekly and a 240 litre yellow lid re-cycling bin collected fortnightly.
2018/19 Rubbish Bin Charges (per annum) | Domestic Refuse/Recycling Service | $361.10 |
| Commercial Refuse Service | $361.10 |
| Additional Refuse Service | $311.10 |
| Additional Recycling Service | $159.30 |
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder will charge sewerage rates to the owner of land (including vacant land) where wastewater services are available for connection.
Utility services (i.e water closets, pedestals, slophoppers, U.R.C) are made against the owner or occupier of the land to which the services are available or supplied.
2018/19 Utility Service Charges (per annum) | Pedestals | $392.70 |
| Water Closets | $392.70 |
| Slophoppers | $392.70 |
| U.R.C | $392.70 |