Right of Objection or Appeal
Ratepayers have a right under the Valuation of Land Act 1978 to object or appeal to the valuation of a property as described on the rate notice on a number of specific grounds.
Objections must be lodged with the Valuer General's Office in writing or on the prescribed form within 60 days of the issue of the original rate notice or interim rate notice.
Please contact the rates department via
email or call 9439 0200 for further information or to obtain the prescribed form.
For more information on rates valuations go to the
landgate website.
Interim Rates
The Town of Kwinana issues an annual account for each property in July, based on information held as at 1 July. After this, if there is a change which affects the amount payable, the Town must issue an interim account, which may increase or decrease the amount payable, according to the circumstances.
The most common reasons for raising an interim account are:
- A New Property
- Improvements To The Property
- Demolition Of Improvements
- Additions to Improvements
- Rubbish Service
Sometimes, the reason is simply that the annual account was issued on incorrect or out of date information. When the correct information has been received it is necessary to correct the charges for the current year, and in some situations, for previous years also. Any valuation changes affecting the Emergency Services Levy and which take effect after 1st July will be applied from the 1st July in the following year.
The following explains the five previously mentioned reasons for interim accounts:
1. New property
With the exception of rubbish service, charges are based on valuations as supplied by the Valuer General's Office. New valuations are obtained every time a lot is created from a subdivision or amalgamation.
2. Improvements to the property
When vacant land is developed and buildings or facilities are placed upon it the land becomes improved. The improvement generally results in a higher valuation and hence the need to adjust the rates levied.
3. Demolition of improvements
Improvements may be removed from a property for various reasons. When this occurs, a reduction in the property valuation often results. This may be a preliminary step in the redevelopment of a site and only the first in a series of interim adjustments, as the development proceeds.
4. Additions to improvements
Following the improvement on vacant land a property may be further improved by the addition of extensions, other buildings or facilities often resulting in a higher valuation.
5. Rubbish service
When a new house is completed and a rubbish service is requested an account will be issued on a pro-rata basis. Like wise when additional or reduced services are requested the adjustment will be pro-rata.
When the Valuer Generals' Office supplies a new or amended valuation, a reason for the amendment and the effective date is also provided. The effective date is set by the Valuer General. Please note that all valuations are reviewed and updated on a regular basis. A general district revaluation is normally carried out every three years on gross rental values and annually on improved values and are effective from the beginning of the financial year.