Understanding Your Rates
Townsville ratepayers receive their Rate & Utilities Notice in their mailbox or inbox twice a year, in February and August.
Townsville City Council's 2024/25 Budget reflects Council's commitment to maintaining core services for our entire community. In recent years Council has absorbed rising operational costs to ease pressure on residents, which is no longer sustainable.
This year ratepayers will see a necessary increase of 5.1% or $3.78 per week, made up of $1.74 rates and $2.04 utilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are rates calculated?
General rates are based on unimproved or site valuations which differ between properties. Information about your land valuation is located on your Rate & Utilities Notice.
The Rating Category Statement is included with your August rates notice. It includes important ratepayer information regarding land valuations and differential general rating categories for the current financial year. You may also refer to the Schedule of Rates and Charges for all rates and utility charges or learn more about how rates are calculated.
How does Council determine the rateable value of land?
Council uses the unimproved or site valuation as advised by Department of Resources to determine the rateable value. The last valuation of the city was 1 October 2021 with the valuation being applied from 1 July 2022.
Is there a separate valuation for each lot in a plan of a subdivision?
Section 52 of the Land Valuation Act 2010 provides for a separate valuation record for each lot.
This means that a valuation will be issued in the name of the subdivider for each lot on plan. There will be no subsequent split actions. Section 50 states that the amount of each valuation issued will be adjusted by the local Council by a reduction of 40%, or other value as contained in the Land Valuation Act 2010. This section applies provided the land is not developed and continues to be owned by the original subdivider.
How can I object to my valuation?
Any owner who is dissatisfied with the valuation made by the Department of Resources under the Land Valuation Act 2010 an lodge an objection. This must be done within 60 days of the date of issue of your notice of valuation.
View objection forms and full details regarding objections to valuations.
Can I get a first homeowners concession?
Townsville City Council does not offer a first home owners concession. However, if you are a first home buyer looking to buy or build in Townsville, you may be eligible for Queensland Government’s first homeowners concession.
For 2024-25, the Queensland Government has:
- doubled the first home owner grant to $30,000 for new homes
- increased first home concession to $700,000 threshold
Learn more about the Queensland Government’s first home owner grant.
What other concessions are available?
Concessions may apply for general rates, water and sewerage charges for certain organisations as set out in Council’s Charitable and Community Organisation Rates and Charges Concessions Policy.
What happens if my rates are overdue?
Unpaid rates are considered overdue and recoverable by Council once the due date has passed. Compound interest, at a rate of 12.35% per annum, will be charged in the following circumstances:
a) On all overdue rates, charges and fire levies, interest will be charged from 30 days after the due date until the date of payment.
b) On approved pensioner rates, charges and fire levies, interest will be charged on overdue amounts from 1 July until the date of payment.
Managing your rates payments
You can make weekly, fortnightly or monthly rate payments via BPAY or direct debit. Divide your rates into smaller, more manageable amounts to make payment easier. Just use your BPAY biller code and reference number to make your payment.
Can I check my rates balance online?
Yes, you can now check the balance owing on your property for rates and utility charges using our Check Your Rates Balance tool.
What do I need to do if my postal address changes?
The property owner is responsible for notifying Council of any change of postal address where rates notices or other important correspondence is to be sent. Failure to do this may result in the loss of the prompt payment discount.
Is there a charge to make changes to ownerships, title or land records?
Council’s records must reflect the same detail as displayed on the title deed of the property held by the Department of Resources. Council is charged a fee for the supply of information relating to any changes to title which include ownership, name and land changes. To assist in the recovery of costs, a $60.40 Change of Ownership fee is passed onto the owner(s) of the property whenever Council is required to amend the property record.
Is there a charge to get a copy of a rates/water notice?
Sign up with Council’s eNotices service to access your rates notices for free.
eNotices allows residents to self-manage all their properties, send notices to multiple email addresses and print off additional copies. Alternatively, a fee of $21.20 applies for each copy of a previous financial years rates notice.
