General Rates Information FAQs
- Roads
- Bridges
- Footpaths
- Drainage
- Buildings
- Other Infrastructure
- Aboriginal community development
- Aged care
- Youth
- General
- Land category or sub-category (e.g. residential, farmland, business).
- Land value (not including the value of your home or other structures).
- Council’s rating policy (e.g. business rates are higher than residential rates).
What do rates pay for?
Rates pay for community services and essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, footpaths, parks, community buildings and facilities, playgrounds and sporting facilities. Rates are the primary source of funding used to maintain and renew infrastructure. As rates fund essential community services and assets, it is important that they are at the right level to ensure the community continues to receive the services they need.
The range of services provided by Armidale Regional Council that rates provide full or partial funding for include:
Asset Driven Services | Economic Development | Corporate Services | Other |
Maintenance and Renewal of: | Grant Attraction | Customer Service | Community Services |
Armidale Regional Airport | Local Economic Development | Council | Rural Fire Service Contributions |
Parks and Reserves Sporting Fields Cemeteries | Tourism Promotion and Marketing | Corporate Planning | State Emergency Service Contributions |
Cleaning of Mall and Town Centres | Local Events Coordination | Financial Management | Fire Brigade Contributions |
Street Sweeping | Visitor Information Centre | Governance | New England Weeds Authority |
Street Lighting | NERAM Contribution | Risk and Safety | Animal Control |
Libraries | Planning and Development | Records Management | Development Compliance |
Swimming Pools | Human Resources | Health and Enforcement Regulatory Functions | |
Saleyards | Information Technology | ||
Guyra Pre School | Project Management and Design | ||
Museums |
How are my rates calculated?
Rates are levied on all rateable properties using a combination of a base amount and land valuation. The base amount is the same for all properties within a category. The land value is determined by the NSW Valuer General.
Rates levied on property owners based on land value vary according to:
In addition to rates, other charges appear on your rate notice such as a waste management and water and sewerage access charges.