General Rates

For all rateable properties where Gross Rental Valuations are applied, within the township of Kojonup and Muradup, a rate of 0.147157 cents in the dollar with a Minimum Rate of $831.00 will apply.

For all rateable properties where Unimproved Valuations are applied, a rate of 0.006398 cents in the dollar with a Minimum Rate of $831.00 will apply.

Minimum Rates

Minimum rates are set at a level to ensure that affected property owners contribute an equitable and realistic level of rates to the maintenance of services provided by the Shire.

Payment of Rates – Options Rates and rubbish charges may be paid by one of the following three options:

Option 1 To pay the total amount of rates and charges included on the rate notice in full by the 35th day after the rate notice issue. The date of rate notice issue was 1 September 2023 and the expiry of the 35th day will be 6 October 2023.

Option 2 Payments to be made by two (2) installments as will be detailed on the Rates Notices with the following anticipated dates:

Option 3 Payments to be made by four (4) installments, as will be detailed on the Rate Notices with the following anticipated dates:

Additional Charge – Installment Payers

An additional charge of $9.00 per installment (excluding 1st installment) will apply, where this option is used. This charge is required to cover administration costs.

Interest Charge – Installment

An interest charge of 5.5% per annum, reduced to a daily rate, applies to the two and four payment installment options.

Late Payment Interest Penalty

An 7.8% pa interest penalty, calculated on a daily basis, will apply to rates, rubbish and ESL charges where payment is received later than the due date.

Any unpaid rates and service charges will continue to accrue interest each day until such arrears are paid. Further details are contained on the back of the rate notices.

Note: Default in payment may cause Council to initiate legal action for the recovery of the total amount owing and this will incur extra charges.  If you are unable to meet payment deadlines please contact Councils Senior Finance Officer, Heather Marland, on 9831 2404 in order to make alternative payment arrangements.

Rate Payment Methods

The following convenient and cost effective options are available to ratepayers.  Please have your rates notice handy.

Payment in Person

Rates can be paid at the Shire Offices, 93 Albany Hwy Kojonup by attending during normal office hours (8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday). Payments by cash, cheque, credit card or debit card are acceptable. Please bring your rates notice with you.

Payment by Direct Credit/EFT

Payment can be made to the Shire of Kojonup.  Please use your assessment number and surname as the reference number for this payment.  BSB: 086-746 ACCOUNT No:  508343485

Payment by BPAY

Payment can be made by telephone and internet banking.  Biller code: 545913

Payment by Post

Cheques or money orders made payable to the Shire of Kojonup crossed “Not Negotiable” may be posted along with the bottom portion of you rates notice to Shire of Kojonup PO Box 163 Kojonup WA 6395.

Payment by Phone

Payment can be made over the phone by credit card by contacting the Shire of Kojonup on 9831 2400.

Emergency Services Levy

Included in your rates notice you will see a line item called Emergency Services Levy (ESL). The ESL is a State Government charge that the Shire of Kojonup is obliged to include on its rate notices. All ESL funds collected on behalf of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) are sent directly to DFES.

The ESL funds Western Australia’s fire and emergency services including the provision and maintenance of buildings, vehicles, personal protective equipment, firefighting appliances, and operational consumables.

For further information, please phone 1300 136 099 or visit the website here.

Rubbish Charges

$420 per annum for weekly collection service. Each service consists of 1 general waste bin (green lid) collected weekly and 1 recycling bin (yellow lid) collected fortnightly.

Pensioners and Seniors Rebates

If you hold a current Pensioner or Seniors Card, are the owner or part owner of the property and live at your property as of 1 July of the rating year, you may be eligible for a State Government rebate of up to 50% ( or the annual cap ) on your rates and Emergency Services Levy. In order to obtain a rebate for the current financial year you must register before the due date for payment, as shown on your rate notice.

If you are already registered as a pensioner with the Shire, you are not required to re-register unless your circumstances have changed since your last registration. You are required to notify Council in writing when you cease to be an entitled pensioner.

For further information regarding pensioner rates concessions, please contact the Councils Manager of Financial and Corporate Services, Jill Johnson, on 9831 2404.

Can I defer my Rates?

If you receive a 50% pensioner rebate for the property you may defer paying your rates until the property is sold.

• If you choose to defer your rates or Emergency Services Levy, you defer the full amount, and do not receive the pensioner/senior rebate.
• Rubbish & Recycling  charges cannot be deferred and must be paid in full
• Please contact us to defer your rates:

Rates – How are they calculated

How are my rates calculated?

Gross Rental Value (GRV) Each Property is individually assessed by the Valuer Generals Office approximately once every 5 years to determine its Gross Rental Value (GRV). Where a property is vacant, the GRV is calculated as 5% of the market value of the land.

• Gross Rental Value = The yearly rent the property would be expected to receive if rented The Shire of Kojonup then sets the Rate in the Dollar that it will charge to maintain the Shire's services. Financial modelling is undertaken to establish a fair rate that not only supports the budget process in terms of service provision, but also provides for a balanced budget to be achieved.
• Rate in the Dollar = The rates charged per dollar of Gross Rental Value A combination of the two will result in your rates charges (eg: GRV x Rate in Dollar = Rates Payable)
• The 'Rate in the Dollar' is shown in the description breakdown box on your rates notice. Unimproved Value (UV) The valuation is based on the unimproved value of the land, which is provided by the Valuer Generals Office and forwarded to the Council. UV valuations are reviewed annually.
• Unimproved Value = The value of the land with no improvements The Shire of Kojonup then sets the Rate in the Dollar that it will charge to maintain the Shire's services. Financial modelling is undertaken to establish a fair rate that not only supports the budget process in terms of service provision, but also provides for a balanced budget to be achieved.
• Rate in the Dollar = The rates charged per dollar of Unimproved Value A combination of the two will result in your rates charges (e.g. UV x Rate in Dollar = Rates Payable)
• The 'Rate in the Dollar' is shown in the description breakdown box on your rates notice.

Objection Against Land Valuations

Valuations - Your valuation (GRV or UV) is only one factor used to calculate your rates notice. The Valuation of Land Act 1978 (as amended) Part IV sets out how valuation objections may be lodged. A property owner may lodge an objection against the valuation of a property within 60 days of the date of issue of a rates notice. For information on how your values are calculated and how to lodge an objection, please visit Landgate’s website here, or alternatively call Landgate Customer Service on (08) 9273 7373.

Rates Record - Section 6.76 of the Local Government Act 1995 provides the grounds, time and the way individual objections and appeals to the Rates Record may be lodged. An objection to the Rate Book must be made in writing to the council within 42 days of the date of issue of a rates notice.

Section 6.81 of the Local Government Act 1995 refers that rates assessments are required to be paid by the due date, irrespective of whether an objection or appeal has been lodged. In the event of a successful objection or appeal, the rates will be adjusted, and you will be advised accordingly. Credit balances may be refunded on request.

Interim Rates

Some ratepayers may receive amended rate accounts during the year when the Valuer General considers the value of their property has changed.  There are many reasons for issuing an interim rate account, the most frequent being:

• A new building
• Improvements to an existing building
• A demolition of buildings
• Subdivision of land
• Amalgamation of land
• Requests for rubbish bins

The Shire issues an annual account for each property usually after the budget has been adopted, based on information held at 1 July. After this, if there are any changes which affect the account payable, an interim account is required to be issued.

The interim account may involve an increase or decrease in the amount payable depending on the change in valuation.  Any interim accounts are due and payable within 35 days of the date of issue and does not affect the recovery of the original account.

Please feel free to contact the Shire on (08) 9831 2400 should you have any queries with your rates.

Ownership Records

All changes of ownership or address should be notified in writing as soon as possible to the Shire Office, so that Council records may be updated.