[Ian Clayton]

Following is the text of Mid-Western’s letter in case it’s of assistance

Cheers
Ian

I refer to the above matter and advise that land classification data for properties within the Mid-Western Regional Council area were uploaded to the Revenue NSW MFT server on 28/11/24 in accordance with the provisions of the Emergency Services Levy Amendment (Land Classification) Act 2024.

The “Preliminary Land Classification Guidelines 2024” issued by the Treasurer under Sec 47E of the Act, and the accompanying “Preliminary Land Classification Manual for Local Government”, require Councils to provide details of the steps Council has taken in undertaking the land classification process.

In accordance with the above, please find following the steps undertaken by Mid-Western Regional Council in fulfilment of our obligations.

Classification :-

• Government Land – Examination of property ownership to identify land owned by a government agency in accordance with the Guidelines and manual. Further consideration was given to identified land leased for value.
• Public Benefit Land – Examination of property ownership and use to identify land eligible for classification as Public Benefit land in accordance with the Guidelines and manual.
• Farmland – All properties categorised as Farmland for rating purposes under the Local Government Act have been classified Farmland.
• Residential Land – All properties categorised as Residential for rating purposes under the Local Government Act have been classified as Residential.

Following are the steps taken or data sources referenced to determine “Vacant/Non-vacant” sub-classification:-
• Urban Properties – Water meter connected?
Postal address matches property address?
Domestic waste management charge?
DA, CC, OC?
Aerial imagery/satellite imagery.
Internet search of property addresses.
Physical inspection of 304 properties.

• Non-urban Properties – Council has no reliable data sources to determine if residential properties in rural areas are vacant. Aerial imagery is very dated and unreliable where native vegetation exists. Most of these types of properties are either residences, or are used for lifestyle “weekender” purposes. Typically these have some kind of shelter (eg a shed) or goods stored on the property. Given the above and the limited timeframe available, all of these properties have been sub-classified as non-vacant.

• Industrial Land – Examination of use of land not previously classified to identify land eligible for classification as industrial land in accordance with the Guidelines and manual.

Following are the steps taken or data sources referenced to determine “Vacant/Non-vacant” sub-classification:-
Water meter connected?
Postal address matches property address?
Non-domestic waste management charge?
Planning approvals – DA, CC, OC?
Aerial imagery/satellite imagery.
Internet search of property addresses.
Physical inspection of 178 properties.

• Commercial Land – The remaining properties were classified Commercial Land in accordance with the Guidelines and manual.

Following are the steps taken or data sources referenced to determine “Vacant/Non-vacant” sub-classification:-
Water meter connected?
Postal address matches property address?
Non-domestic waste management charge?
Planning approvals – DA, CC, OC?
Aerial imagery/satellite imagery.
Internet search of property addresses.
Physical inspection of 178 properties.

Specified Use – There are only a small number of properties within the Mid-Western region requiring designation under one of the specified use classifications outlined in the manual. These have been identified via a mix of existing property codes, ownership data and local knowledge.

Pensioners – Pensioners have been identified and flagged based on owners receiving a pension concession under Chapter 15 of the Local Government Act.