Circulars

What’s new or changing

• The timetables for 2018/19 Special Variation and Minimum Rate Variation applications have been released.
• The Guidelines that apply to 2018/19 Special Variation and Minimum Rate Variation applications have been published.

What this will mean for your council

• New councils (except for Mid-Coast Council) will not be eligible to apply for a special or minimum rate variation for the 2018/19 rating year.
• The Guidelines outline the process for all other councils seeking to apply for a special or minimum rate variation for 2018/19.

Key points

• Councils should assume the rate peg for 2019/20 and in future years is 2.5%. IPART has advised that the rate peg for 2018/19 may be below 2.5% based on current information. When IPART releases the rate peg for 2018/19, councils should update their applications to reflect the actual 2018/19 rate peg.
• New councils (except for Mid-Coast Council) are not eligible for a special or minimum rate variation.
• Councils are to submit a request for a Crown Land Adjustment to the Office of Local Government.
• The timetable published in the Guidelines applies to Special Variation and Minimum Rate Variation applications for 2017-18. In future years this timetable will not be included in the Guidelines and will only be communicated via circular.

2018/19 Application Timetable

Where to go for further information

• The Special Variation and Minimum Rate Variation Guidelines are available on the Office’s website at Rating and Special Variations.
• All eligible councils intending to apply for a Special Variation or Minimum Rate Variation in 2018/19 should contact IPART well in advance of submitting an application.
• Any inquiries regarding the application process should be directed to an IPART staff member:
• Anthony Rush (02) 9113 7790
• Derek Francis (02) 9290 8421

or by email to localgovernment@ipart.nsw.gov.au

Tim Hurst
Acting Chief Executive