City of Cockburn - Wetlands to Waves

Main Points of Interest - FAQ's

Why is there no discount for early payment of rates?

To have a low rate increase for all 40,000 ratepayers, Council agreed to maintain no early payment discount for rates, as introduced two years ago. By removing the discount Council was able to have a low 5% increase. This is similar to Fremantle, Kwinana, Melville and East Fremantle but much lower than Rockinghams 12%.  The number of ratepayers who pay by instalments has increased due to  Council now actively encouraging every ratepayer to use the instalment plan. Council has also reduced administration fees to pay by instalment.

Why have my rates gone up at all?

The City has been hit with a number of cost increases this year. Power costs have risen by 22.8% or approximately $550,000, most of it to fund street lighting (it went up a massive 29.8%) as well as substantial increases for gas, water and other state charges. Another 4.5% increase has been payroll costs, which includes provision for additional new staff being appointed to provide more services to the Community. The City has commissioned or taken over 5 new parks and sports areas in the year which all need ongoing maintenance as do other facilities in the municipality. We will therefore need more money to maintain our parks, gardens and ovals. Overall our costs have risen by 5%, most of which is outside of the control of the Council.

Why have rubbish charges risen so much?

Council like other business owners has been hit with higher costs such as labour and power as well as higher costs for rubbish trucks which are now $400,000 each. This year Council introduced a weekly recycling service. Many residents have complained that by the end of each fortnight their recycling bin is packed and newspapers and other recycling material goes not in the yellow top bin but in the general waste bin. The Council heard these comments, so  brought in  a weekly recycling bin pick up so as to encourage every one to increase their recycling. Council is also  providing 6 free Trailer passes, two junk verge collections and two greenwaste verge collections this year.

Where is my recycling rubbish going now that the SMRC has been burnt down?

Since the Citys recycling building burned down in June 2009, Council has negotiated a competitive contract with another recycling provider to take the Citys recycling material.

Please also note that all relevant information is contained in our Council's Brochure that has gone out with the Rates Notices.

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Common Questions and Answers

Q: Why has Council increased total charges by more than inflation?

1. Rates have risen by 5%. State Govt charges have been a big contributor.
2. Waste charges have increased $345 to $365
3. The Security levy has increased from $45 to $50 to assist in providing CCTV and CO-Safe
4. The State Governments Fire Levy has risen by 9% - This is a state government levy and we do not know why it has increased by more than CPI. The City has not received more fire stations or firemen or money to fund the 2 bush fire brigades the City operates.
   

Q: Why do I have to pay rates as I dont use any of your facilities?

Every ratepayer uses one or more facilities provided by the Council. The moment you drive out of your property onto a road you are using a Council facility. If you live outside of the City and have a rental property, your tenant uses the Councils facilities.

Q: What services does Council provide for my rates?

The Council provides a great number of services, here is a short list:

• Libraries
• Child, Youth, Family, Seniors and Aged Services
• Community Centres and Sporting Facilities
• Land Use planning and regulation
• Building licencing, regulation and advice
• Health Services for the regulation and inspection of food premises, dust and noise monitoring to protect and improve community amenity,and  management of contaminiated sites.
• Maintenance and upgrading of roads, drainage and footpaths
• Weekly collection of waste and recyclables/Waste Management and Disposal
• Provision and management of beautiful parks and reserves across the City of Cockburn
• Management of beaches and beach reserves
• Management of lakes and nature reserves
• Free family concerts and events
• Generous Community Grants program
• Spot landscaping and beautification in strategic locations throughout the City of Cockburn
• Provision of public art
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Q: What do you do with the money raised by my rates?

The City will spend close to $150m on services and capital projects. In 2011/12, the City will commence or complete a number of major community infrastructure projects. For example in the next twelve months the City will be providing a new library in Cockburn Central, a surf club at Coogee Beach and underground power in Coolbellup.

Q: I never see anything with the money you get from me.

The City spends money across all areas of the City and in each suburb. Just look at your local park, footpath, new road or resealed road, all street lights are being kept on despite the State Govt increasing the cost by 100% in two years, the weekly rubbish collection service all services provided by your local Cockburn Council. Just check your Councils website to find out what other services are provided by the Council. The list is long and you will use one of them every day.

Q: What are you spending this year?

This year the Council will spend $150m on services and capital projects. Capital Projects will receive $50m in 2011/12, with $96m for provision of services/operational costs. The balance covers depreciation and transfers to reserves.

Q: How does Cockburn compare with surrounding Councils

• Fremantle is proposing a 6.9% rate increase
• Melville is going up by 4.5%
• Kwinana is rising by 5.45%
• Rockingham is rising by 12%
• East Fremantle is proposing a 5% rate increase

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Q: What about other charges levied by Council

The rubbish collection charge is rising by $20 to $365, the Community Surveillance Levy will increase by $5 to $50 and the Emergency Services Levy will increase by 9.2% per property as advised by the State Government.
For an average property, the basket of service charges levied by Council and excluding the Fire Levy, will rise by approximately 5.8% for the charges the City has control over but by 6.3% when you include State Government charges like ESL.

Q: Coogee Beach is one of the safest beaches in the metropolitan area. Why then do we need a surf club if no such grant from the Government was available and why did Council proceed to take this project on board then?

The Council has agreed to fund the building of the Surf Club as there is strong community support for and participation in the club. Like other community assets, it is the Council who provides the funds for this worthwhile project. The Cost of $6m is being funded by a grant from Council for 80% of the cost with the State Govt putting in 20%. Over the next ten years this facility will grow to be a jewel in the crown of the City of Cockburn as it attracts more families and children to Coogee Beach. It will also reflect the Councils commitment to improving the health of the youth of the City and providing avenues for young people to contribute back to the Community. The Club will maintain the facility in accordance with the lease. The Council, instead of charging a lease fee will allow the Club to invest this money back into the facility to maintain it to a high standard.

Q: Im a pensioner, can I get a concession on my rates account?

Provided pensioners meet the eligibility criteria, they will be entitled to claim up to 50% of their current years rates and the emergency services levy (ESL), a state government imposed charge to fund the fire brigade and the SES, or they may defer payment of those rates and ESL charges.  For an immediate application to register for a concession, eligible ratepayers can ring the Water Authority on 1300 659 951 and one of their officers will take all their details over the phone.

Seniors who meet the eligibility criteria are also entitled to claim a rebate of up to 25%.

However, Seniors and Part Pensioners are not entitled to defer their rates or ESL charges.

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Q: Why are you making it harder for pensioners?

The City is not making it harder for pensioners to pay their rates. Paying rates for pensioners has not changed. A pensioner who receives the full pension rebate can pay or defer rates like in prior years. If they choose to defer, they must pay their waste and security levy by the due date, that being Tuesday 23rd August 2011.

Q: Why dont pensioners get a rebate on the waste charge?

The State Government refuses to extend the Pension rebate to rubbish charges. They will only give it for rates and the emergency services levy. The City has attempted to have the State Government change its mind using the $40m windfall gain the State received from their higher landfill levy. The City argued the State should use the money to subsidise pensioners. The State Government said no!

Q: I cant afford to pay my full rates at this time, how can I pay the rates off in instalments?  Can I also pay by monthly instalments?

The Council is always aware of ratepayers who are having financial difficulties.  Dont wait to hear from Councils debt collectors, just ring us to make a special arrangement that suits your situation and the City.

Q: Do you offer free financial counselling service to assist me in paying this account?

The City does offer financial counselling for ratepayers who are suffering financial hardship.  Included with your rate notice was a brochure, outlining details of our financial services.  Please feel free to contact one of our Offices which are located at Atwell 9414 6302 or Coolbellup 9331 1174 to make an appointment.

Q: Am I entitled to Trailer passes?

The City will issue you six free passes and for most ratepayers the Council will provide four verge collections, two junk and two green waste.  If you have misplaced your rate notice, Council cannot duplicate this original rate notice which has the Trailer passes in the body of that notice and there will be no replacement Trailer passes.

Q: Can we get more Trailer passes?

No, if you wish to use the Henderson Waste Recovery Park after you have used your 6 Trailer passes, you will have pay when using the Henderson  Waste Recovery Park to dump your rubbish.

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Q: Why do Commercial and Industrial properties not receive Trailer passes?

Commercial and industrial premises generate more waste than residential owners, as such Trailer passes have never been extended to the commercial and industrial property owners. A further reason is that many industrial property owners actually have private arrangements for their waste disposal due to the large volumes they generate.

 Q: I have a vacant block of land, how come I didnt get Trailer passes?

As vacant land owners do not pay the Waste Charge, they are therefore not entitled to receive the Trailer passes. This is because the cost of providing the Trailer passes is built into the Waste Charge.

Q: How many road side verge collections are you having this year?

Council will provide four verge pick ups, one general rubbish/junk and two green waste.  Read More

Q: Has my property been re-valued this year?

Yes, the Gross Rental Valuations (GRV) are re-assessed every three years. The average residential property went up by 39% across the City. To negate this, the City reduces the rate in the dollar by 39% then adds the rate increase so the actual increase is effectively only the rate increase for the new financial year. Unimproved Valuations (UV), are valued annually.

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Q: Why have you charged me a specified area rate? Are there any other areas being charged?  Yes.

The City has levied a special area rate on the development known as Port Coogee. The levy is to cover the special maintenance needs of the area when it is handed over by the developer. It has been introduced now so as to allow funds to be collected and keep the levy at a very low level.

This was the first special area rate the Council has introduced and the developer should have conveyed to each owner of land in the development the Councils intention to charge the special area rate.

A Specified Area rate for the Coolbellup East Underground Power Area is the other one being levied this Financial Year.

Q: Underground Power Why is the Council doing UGP?

Council believes that the provision of UGP in older areas such as Coolbellup assists in the rejuvenation of the suburb, removes ugly over head infrastructure and generally improves the amenity of the area. To facilitate this project, Council is paying 20% of the project cost with rate payers asked to make a contribution over five years. The Council believes that property values increase as a result of improved amenity in the area plus a more reliable power supply.

A survey of the area indicated 65% supported the undergrounding of power in Coolbellup. Not as many supported the payment. Council believes it is an important part of the improvement of the suburb.

Q: What is Council charging for UGP?

Council is charging all properties $510 for the removal of overhead infrastructure with a further $100 for the connection (green dome) from street/property boundary to the meter box. The charge of $510 is a specified area rate with pensioners entitled up to a 50% rebate and seniors up to a 25% rebate. A discount of 50% will apply to those with high voltage power lines remaining. The charge will be applied for five years. A 10% discount will be offered if a ratepayer wishes to pay the full amount (five years) up front. A small interest component has already been included in the charge so as to allow ratepayers to pay the account over the five year period.

Commercial properties will pay a proportion of the cost based on their draw of power from the grid, but the cost will be kept as low as possible.

Q: What if I sell my property in the five year repayment period?
A: The outstanding balance will be cleared by the vendor/seller at settlement.

Q: Can I speak to my Councillor and tell them that we are not happy?

You can always speak to your Elected Member, but remember they are only human too. Keep all communications friendly and this will go along way to putting your message over to your Elected Member.


Q: Is it better to put my grievance in writing and will I get a written reply? Who do I send it to?

All grievances should be put in writing and should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer. All letters will be replied to as the matter is researched and hopefully resolved.

Q: When are the next elections?

The Next election is in October 2011.  Read more : Elected Members Page

Q: What do the Councillors and Mayor get paid?

All Councillors are entitled to a sitting fee in accordance with the Local Government Act. The annual fee for a Councillor is $7,000 and the Mayor is entitled to $14,000.  The Mayor also receives a Mayoral Allowance as set out by the Local Government Act of $60,000 pa and the Deputy Mayor of $15,000.   The fees have not increased for the last eight years. Specific details are contained in the city of Cockburn Annual Report which can be found on the Councils Annual Report Page.

Q: If I am not happy to put my complaint in writing, what are my alternatives?  Can I arrange a meeting with the Mayor?

All rates complaints are dealt with by the administration staff not the Mayor or Elected Members. You can contact the Mayor or your Elected Member but the outcome will not differ unless there has been an error in preparing the assessment.

Q: Can I go to a Council meeting and ask why the rates have increased?

All ratepayers can go to any Council meeting to ask why rates increase.  It should be noted that if you wish to attend a Council Meeting to ask questions, you must lodge a public question form  before 10 am on the day of a Council Meeting.  This form can be obtained from the public question web page, mailed to you, or picked up from our Administration Office.

Other Information

Merchant Credit/Debit Card Surcharge Fees

This year Council is introducing this fee as there is a significant cost to Council for accepting credit card payments from Ratepayers.  This is consistent with widely accepted business practices including those of other local governments and utility providers.  The Councils fee of 0.55% is one of the lowest charged within the industry. The fee is totally voluntary in nature, and ratepayers have the choice of other payment methods other than credit card, including BPay and Australia Post.

• Click for further Information on Paying your Rates

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