What Rates and Charges will be levied for 2009/2010

Council rates and charges levied on owners of property throughout the City of Ryde, are Council's major source of income and during 2009/2010 will provide approximately 50% of Council's total revenue. Rates and charges consist of the following  components:

• Residential Rate
• Business Rate
• Environmental Management Special Rate:
• Base Charge
• Rate
• Macquarie Park Corridor Special Rate
• Stormwater Management Charge

The net estimated yield from each of these rates can be summarised in the following table

Rate/Charge	Base Charge $	Ad Valorem Amount (Cents in $)	Rate Yield $
Residential		0.00149940	$23,593,000
Business		0.006593	$11,356,000
Business Centre of Activity 1		0.01012242	$569,000
Environmental Management - Base Charge	$49.60		$1,973,000
Environmental Management - Ad Valorem		0.000234	$3,550,000
Macquarie Park Corridor Special Rate		0.001233	$1,143,000
Stormwater Management Charge
Residential property	$25
Residential & Business Strata Unit	$12.50
Business Property (per 350m2)	$25

The minimum rate payable for any parcel of land is specified as $419 for

• Ordinary Residential Rates
• Ordinary Business 
• Ordinary Business Rates (Centre of Activity 1).

The Environmental Management Rate Base charge is set at $49.60 per property and will yield 35.7% of the total Environmental Management Rate.

An interest charge of 9% applies to any rate or charge that is not paid in full by the date that it is due. This is a flat rate charge calculated on a daily basis for the sum outstanding at that time.

The Domestic Waste Management Service Charge   

The Domestic Waste Management service charge for 2009/2010 is levied under Section 496(1) of the Local Government Act and has been set at $311 per service, per annum. This charge covers garbage, recycling, garden vegetation and Council Cleanup Collection services.

Households receiving Council's Domestic Waste Management Service will receive:

• One 140 litre garbage bin collected weekly
• One 240 litre recycling bin collected fortnightly
• One 240 litre garden vegetation bin collected fortnightly
• Five scheduled Council Cleanup Collections per year

Residents are advised to check their Waste Collection Calendar for collection dates.

• Domestic Waste Management Service charges:
• $311 per service, per annum
• Additional garbage service (on request):
• 140 litre bin $237 per service, per annum
• 240 litre bin $464 per service, per annum
• Upgrade garbage bin (on request) from 140L to 240L
• $227 per service, per annum
• Additional recycling service:
• $37 per service, per annum
• Additional garden vegetation service(on request):
• $37 per service, per annum

All additional bins are serviced in accordance with the standard collection service - weekly collection for waste and alternate fortnight collections for recycling and green waste. New and additional waste services require a form to be completed and sent to Council for approval and delivery.

• New/Additional Waste Services form (PDF 18KB)

Garbage services to non-rateable properties are provided upon request and charged under Section 496(2) of the Local   Government Act. Non-rateable properties are provided with the same services as non-rateable properties. The charges are as above.

When and How You Can Pay Your Rates

Under the Local Government Act, 1993, you will be sent a periodic rates account unless you pay the whole amount up front.  Due dates this year for instalments are 31 August 2009, 30 November 2009, 28 February 2010 and 31 May 2010.

Methods of Payment 

There are several methods of payment available. These are listed on the back of the rate notice and are as follows:

1. Telephone - RATES PAYMENTS ONLY
   By calling 1300 652 073 payments can be made by credit card. You will need to enter the Customer Reference Number shown on the front of your Rate Notice and your credit card details. (MasterCard and VISA only).
   Note: A merchant fee surcharge is applicable.
   
   
2. Internet
   By accessing the City's Online Payments page, payments can be made by credit card. You will need to enter the Customer Reference Number shown on the front of your rate notice and your credit card details (MasterCard or Visa card only).
   Note: A merchant fee surcharge is applicable.
   
   
3. BPAY
   Contact your participating Bank, Credit Union or Building Society to make this payment directly from your savings, cheque or credit account. You will need to quote the Biller Code (5330) and the 7 digit Customer Reference Number shown on the front of your rate notice.
   
   
4. Payment through any bank 
   You do not need to hold an account with the bank. Complete the bank deposit slip at the bottom of the rate notice and take the full notice into any Bank, Credit Union or Building Society.
   If paying at any institution other than Westpac a transfer fee may be applicable.
   
   
5. Australia Post
   Please present your full Rate Notice intact to any post office.
   
   
6. Payment through the mail
   Make cheques or money orders payable to the CITY OF RYDE and forward to:
   
   City of Ryde
   Locked Bag 2069
   NORTH RYDE  1670
   
   If you require a receipt you must attach a written request with your payment.
   
   
7. Personal Payment to Council
   Payment can be made by cash, cheque, money order, EFTPOS or Credit Card (MasterCard, AMEX or VISA only).
   Note: A merchant fee surcharge is applicable.
   
   
8. City of Ryde Libraries
   Payment of rates (except cash) can now be made at any City of Ryde Libraries. Pay by cheque, money order, MasterCard or Visa (merchant fees apply)

Pension Concession Information  

Who is eligible?

Under State legislation some pensioners are eligible to receive a concession off their rate account. The amounts of the concessions available on an annual basis are fixed by legislation. At present this statutory concession is limited to $250 for ordinary rates and the domestic waste management service charge.

If you receive a pension or benefit you may be eligible for a concession even though someone else may jointly own and occupy the property.

Eligibility Criteria

1. You must be an eligible pensioner.
2. You must occupy the dwelling for which a concession is sought as your sole or principal place of living.
3. Evidence of eligibility will be required.
4. Persons who become or cease to be eligible pensioners during the year will receive a concession proportionate to the number of full quarters in which they are an eligible pensioner.

Further Information

For further information related to Council's Rates and Charges to be issued for the 2009/2010 year, please contact Council's Customer Service Centre on (02) 9952 8222.