About your Rates
Each year, rates are assessed on the basis of the land value multiplied by the rate in the dollar set by Council for the year.
Rating Categorisation
In accordance with Section 514 of the Local Government Act 1993 (Act), each parcel of land within the Hawkesbury Local Government Area (HLGA) has been categorised for rating purposes and owners are notified in conjunction with their annual rate notice.
Under Section 554 of the Act, all land is rateable unless it is exempt from rating. Sections 555 and 556 of the Act define the categories under which a parcel of land must fall in order to be eligible for exemption from rating. Ratepayers that are eligible under these sections may apply to Council for exemption from rating.
The Act also provides for all rateable properties to be categorised into one of four categories of ordinary rates as follows:
- Farmland Category
- Mining Category
- Residential Category
- Business Category.
Council will levy rates on the following categories and sub-categories
Farmland Category
This category includes any parcel of rateable land valued as one assessment and the dominant use of the land is for farming. The farming activity must have a significant and substantial commercial purpose or character and must be engaged in for the purpose of profit on a continuous or repetitive basis (whether or not a profit is actually made). Properties which meet these criteria are categorised as 'Farmland'.
Residential Category
This category includes any rateable parcel of land valued as one assessment and the dominant use is for residential accommodation; or if vacant land is zoned or otherwise designated for use for residential purposes under an environmental planning instrument; or is rural residential land.
Business Category
This category includes rateable land that cannot be classified as farmland, residential or mining. Council resolved that three sub-categories be established within the Business Category.
The sub-categories are as follows:
Business Area 1 – Business rated properties within defined areas in Richmond, Windsor, Vineyard and Mulgrave.
The defined area for Richmond is the area bounded by Lennox Street, Bourke Street, Windsor Street, Hobart Street, Pitt Street, Francis Street, March Street, Chapel Street and East Market Street.
The defined area for Windsor is the area bounded by the Railway Line, Rickaby’s Creek, Hawkesbury River, Bridge Street and South Creek.
The defined area for Vineyard and Mulgrave is the area bounded by Windsor Road, South Creek, Railway Road South and Bandon Road.
Business Area 2 – Business rated properties within defined areas in North Richmond and South Windsor.
The defined area for North Richmond is the area bounded by a Radius of 650m from the Centre Point of the intersection of Bells Line of Road, Beaumont Avenue and Grose Vale Road.
The defined area for South Windsor is the area bounded by Macquarie Street, Woods Road, South Creek and the Railway Line.
Business Area Other – All other business rated properties not falling within any of the defined areas in Richmond, Windsor, Vineyard, Mulgrave, North Richmond and South Windsor.
Valuations
Councils do not determine your land value for rating purposes. Land is valued by the Valuer General of NSW under the Valuation of Land Act 1916 (as amended). These valuations are carried out approximately every three years and you should get a valuation notice after it is done.
For further information on your Land Value please contact the Valuer General of NSW on 1800 110 038 or click here.
Pensioner Concessions
Rebates on Council rates and charges are available to eligible pensioners.
Please contact Council on (02) 4560 4444 for information on how to receive any rebates that may apply.
Hardship Policy
For more information on the Debt Recovery, Pensioner Concession & Hardship Policy click here.
Waste & Recycling
For information on waste and recycling services click here.
Sullage
Council provides a sullage pump-out service to properties that are not serviced by Sydney Water or the Windsor Sewer Scheme and do not have an on-site sewerage management facility. An annual charge is levied for the sullage service.
Sewer
Council provides reticulated sewerage services to the areas of Bligh Park, Clarendon, McGraths Hill, Mulgrave Industrial Area, Pitt Town, South Windsor, South Windsor Industrial Area, Windsor, Windsor Downs and other minor extensions
Stormwater
Property owners who live in our urban areas pay a Stormwater Management Service Charge that contributes to the cost of providing new or additional stormwater services across the local area. For further information click here.
Drainage Management Charge (Redbank Area)
Change of Postal Address
If your current postal address is different from the address shown on the front of your rate notice, please complete a Change of Postal Address form and return it to Council:
- Fax: (02) 4587 7740
- Post: PO Box 146, Windsor NSW 2756
- Email: council@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au
Payments
Council offers ratepayers a number of payment options for the payment of rates and charges. The following payment methods are available.
Phone
Call 1300 276 468 to make payments using VISA or MasterCard. A credit card surcharge of 0.75% applies.
You will need to quote the Bpoint biller code and reference number shown on the front of your rate or instalment notice.
Internet
Visit the Rates Payment page to make a payment online using VISA or MasterCard. A credit card surcharge of 0.75% applies.
You will need to quote the reference number shown on the front of your rate or instalment notice.
Send your cheque made payable to Hawkesbury City Council along with the slip on the bottom of your rate notice to: PO Box 146, Windsor NSW 2756
BPAY
Contact your participating financial institution either by Internet or telephone to make this payment directly from your savings or cheque account.
You will need to quote the biller code and reference number shown on the front of your rate or instalment notice.
POST Billpay
Pay your account with POST Billpay either by phone, internet or in person. You will need to quote the billpay code and reference number shown on the front of your rate notice.
- By Internet: POSTbillpay payment site www.postbillpay.com.au
- By Phone: Call 13 18 16, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week for payment by credit card(Accepted cards are Visa & Mastercard) A credit card surcharge of 0.75% applies, or once registered, from your cheque or savings account.
- In Person: Present this notice at any Australia Post agency. Payments can be made by cash, cheque, EFTPOS or credit card. A credit card surcharge of 0.75% applies(Accepted cards are Visa & Mastercard).
Direct Debit
Have your rates debited from your financial institution. Complete the Direct Debit request form and return it to Council.
In Person
Present your rate notice to the cashier at the Council Offices to make payment by cash, cheque, EFTPOS or credit card. A credit card surcharge of 0.75% applies (Accepted cards are VISA & MasterCard).
Present this notice at any Australia Post agency for payment by cash, cheque, EFTPOS or credit card. A credit card surcharge of 0.75% applies (accepted cards are VISA & MasterCard).
Overdue Payments
If an instalment payment is not paid in full by the due date, interest will be charged on the amount owing. For 2023/2024, the interest charged is 9% per annum, calculated daily. If your account is overdue, there is also the risk that recovery action may be instigated. This action would result in additional costs applying to your rate account.
Payment Flexibility
If you are experiencing difficulty in making your payments by the due date, please contact our Recovery Officer on (02) 4560 4610, to discuss the option of an alternative payment arrangement.
For further Rates information, please contact Council on (02) 4560 4444.
Ratepayer
- Application for Pensioner Rebate for Sullage Pump-out Service - 2021 May (747.0 KB)
- Application for Postponement of Rates - July 2018 (78.9 KB)
- Application for a Pensioner Concession Section 575 - July 2023 (300.1 KB)
- Categorisation of land as farmland - Application (55.9 KB)
- Direct Debit Request Form (80.4 KB)
- Hardship Rate Relief Application - 2023 July (221.7 KB)
- Payment Arrangement Agreement - September 2017 (61.3 KB)
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