Understanding Your Rates and Utilities
Learn more about the rates, levies, discounts and rebates featured in Townsville City Council’s 2023/24 Budget.
General Rates
To continue delivering essential services and investing in our city's growth, Council has implemented a 0% rate in the dollar increase for the 2023/24 financial year.
Category 1 – Principal Place of Residence rates overall have experienced an average of 3% increase due to the impact of state government land valuations. This is less than $1 per week and compares to an average increase of 7.5% in 2022/23.
The General Rates for Categories 2 – 6 will not experience any change (0% increase) in 2023/24.
Townsville’s home owner-occupiers will see an average increase of $2.50 a week in utility charges for water and waste services.
Rate in the Dollar and Minimum General Rate
- There is a 0% rate in the dollar increase for all categories.
- The minimum general rate for all categories has not increased.
Rate Capping, Discounts and Rebates
- Council offers a discount on rates to ratepayers who pay their rates by the due date. This discount remains unchanged at 10% for Category 1 and 5% for all other categories.
- The 2022 review conducted by the Queensland Valuer-General led to increases in land values in Townsville, with some owner-occupied properties experiencing a surge of over 270%. To protect owner-occupiers’ Council significantly reduced its rate increase cap in the 2022/23 financial year to a maximum of 10%, previously this cap was 30%.
- Rates calculated on properties this financial year are being adjusted based on the ongoing impact of state government land valuations. Many owner-occupier home owners will see no impact this year, however some residents will experience an impact to a maximum of 10%.
- Any rise in rates for home owner-occupiers in their upcoming general rate notice is mainly attributable to the carry-over effects from the recent land valuations. Rather than imposing the full increase immediately, Council is gradually phasing in the adjustments over time. This approach has positioned Council well to handle the escalating costs and minimise the extent of rate increases for ratepayers in this current year.
- The Pensioner Rates Concession remains one of the most generous in the State providing up to $800 off general rates.
- Not-for-profit organisations continue to receive a full-rate rebate of 100% of general rates and a partial rebate on water charges.
- Not-for-profit sporting organisations continue to receive a partial-rate rebate of 50% of sewerage charges.
- Rate capping continues to be granted at 10% of general rates for all Category 1 properties. This amount remains the same as the previous budget.
- Council continues to offer the $1,000 First Home Buyers Concession.
Utility Charges
- Ratepayers will see an average increase of about $1.42 per week on their utilities which includes water, waste services and wastewater services. An average increase of 3.4%.
- Water Utility charges have increased by 4.8%. The residential standard plan has increased from $899 to $942 per annum. The non-residential fixed access fee has increased from $427 to $447 with consumption charges increasing from $3.36 to $3.52.
- Sewerage Utility Charges have increased by 2%. The residential sewerage charge has increased from $806 to $822 per annum per household. The non-residential charge has increased from $945 to $964 per annum per pedestal.
- Waste Utility Charges have increased between 3.9% and 5.7%. A residential Waste/Recycling 240L Wheelie Bin Service has increased from $228 to $241. A non-residential Waste 240L Wheelie Bin Service has increased from $314.82 to $329.
- The Local Waste Levy, which applies to categories 1, 2 and 3a-3k for the provision of one hard rubbish collection and access to free green waste disposal, free recyclables and wheelie bin repairs/replacements, has increased from $60 to $62.
Download an example notice
Below is an example Rate & Utilities Notice with explanations for each section.
