Postponement of rates
Owners of rateable land can apply to postpone rates if the land meets requirements under Section 585 of the Local Government Act 1993.
Postponed rates attract interest for up to 5 years (for a maximum of 5 years).
Who may apply for postponement of rates?
Where you have land that is zoned commercial, industrial, residential flat building, or it is permitted under a plan to be further subdivided, but you use the land for residential purposes only, you may apply to have part of these rates postponed. The part you can apply to be postponed is the difference between the residential rate and the higher commercial/ industrial/ other rate.
How do I apply for a postponement of rates?
1. Complete an application form. You can download the form here(PDF, 88KB), or pick up from the Council Administration Building.
2. Submit your application in person or by post to the Council Administration Building at 2 Cecile Street, Parkes NSW 2870, or via email to council@parkes.nsw.gov.au
3. Once Council receives your application and assesses that it meets with the legislative requirement, Council will request Land Property Information NSW to provide a 'Postponed Apportionment’ valuation. The Valuer-General will determine the portion of your current valuation that can be used for postponement of your rate.
4. You will receive a letter advising of the Valuer-General's determination and of the rates that you are required to pay.
Frequently asked questions:
Do interest charges accrue on postponed rates?
Council is required, in accordance with the Local Government Act, to accrue daily interest charges on postponed rates as if the rates were overdue. Interest charges are calculated at the rate specified by the Office of Local Government each year.
How long do postponed rates accrue for?
Postponed rates and associated interest charges are accumulated for a period of five years. At the end of the fifth year, Council will write off the first year's postponed rates and the interest that has been applied for that particular year. There will be no more than 5 years maximum postponed rates and interest charges payable at any time.
What if the use of the property changes?
Postponed rates can remain on the property providing its use doesn’t change. i.e.: demolition of house for redevelopment, or its use change to business or commercial or property sold or changed ownership. Should any of these changes occur the postponed rates and interest charges will become due and payable i.e. up to a maximum of 5 years of postponed rates and interest charges will become immediately due and payable.
Do I need to apply for postponement of rates every year?
Following receipt of the initial application, ratepayers are not required to complete application forms annually. Applications are requested to be completed as part of the general revaluation process that occurs on a cyclical basis every three (3) years. However, a ratepayer's continuing eligibility to receive the benefit of the postponement is checked on a regular basis by Council's Revenue Officers.
When do postponed rates and interest charges become due and payable?
Should the use of the property change, the postponed rates and interest charges will become immediately due and payable.
A change in ownership is not a circumstance that would cause the postponed entitlement to cease. If Council is satisfied that there is no change to the use or occupation of the property, the entitlement may be transferred to the new owner. Please note: The decision to apply for a postponement of rates rests with the rateable owner of land. In the event of a transfer in ownership, Council may seek a fresh application from the new owner, prior to transferring the entitlement, to confirm that they wish to continue with the entitlement.
With the ceasing of the postponement, all postponed rates and interest charges will be collected and details will appear as outstanding rates and charges on Section 603 Certificates.