Current rates and charges

Each property falls into one of 4 categories for rating purposes, dependent on the actual use of the property:

• residential
• farmland
• mining
• business

At any time, you may apply to Council to have your land category reviewed. The ratepayer must advise Council within 30 days if the circumstances of their land changes so as to cause it to change from one category to another.

If you are dissatisfied with Council's declaration of the category of your land after it has been reviewed, or the date the category of your land is to take effect, you may appeal to the Land and Environment Court within 30 days after the declaration is made under the Local Government Act 1993 (Section 526).

Williamtown Management Area

Sub-categories of the farmland and residential rates have been made for the Williamtown Management Area in parts of Williamtown, Salt Ash and Fullerton Cove. Specifically lower rates are made in the Williamtown Management Area Primary, Secondary and Broader Management zones.

The main residential and farmland category rates apply to all properties located elsewhere within the Port Stephens Local Government Area. The reason for the sub-categorisation is to provide financial assistance to residential and farmland ratepayers whose properties are included in the RAAF Base Williamtown per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination areas.

The land values assigned for rating purposes are supplied by the Valuer General's Office. These valuations are made every 3 years.

Any objections or appeals regarding the valuation of the land value must be directed to the Valuer General's Office. Whether or not an objection is pending, the rates levied must be paid by the due date indicated on the front of your rate notice.