Question of the Week: What are the charges on my rates notice?

Published on 02 August 2022

Kempsey Shire Council’s rates notices list all the rates and charges that apply to your particular property.

These make up the total amount that you owe. 

Below, we’ve explained the items you’ll normally see on your rates notice. 

Residential – Every property is classified as Residential, Business, Farmland or Mining. Most people are charged ordinary rates under the Residential category.

Water Access Residential – This is a charge for water access at your property. The amount is based on the size of your property’s water meter – for example, many properties have a 20mm water meter. 

Sewer Access Connect Residential – This is the sewer access charge for your property. 

Water Usage – This charge is based on how many kilolitres of water you’ve used in the period the rates notice applies to. 

Waste Standard Service – This charge is for the weekly waste service Council provides at your property – for example, yellow, red and green bin collection. 

Environmental Levy – This is a levy that helps Council manage and look after the local environment. 

Stormwater Charge – This is a levy that Council collects to manage local stormwater systems. 

For more information, see How to read your rates notice or head to the Office of Local Government’s Rates, Charges and Pensioner Concession page. The OLG provides detailed information on how council rates work throughout New South Wales.

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