[Jason Symons]

Afternoon all,

Welcome to the almost weekend.

A quick question, which I’m in two minds about.

A property has recently been purchased in Lane Cove by The Uniting Church Of Aust. Property Trust. The property will be resided in by the General Secretary of the Church. They have sent a request for non-rateability of the property.

The blurb from Uniting Church website states:-

“Andrew Johnson is the General Secretary of the Uniting Church Assembly following his appointment in July 2024.

As General Secretary, Andrew leads the work of the National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia including responsibilities for matters of doctrine, worship, government and discipline, promoting the Church’s mission and standards of theological training. He works alongside and offers strategic leadership to senior leaders and staff of the Assembly and its three national agencies.”

Furthermore, the site states:-

“The Assembly is the national council of the Uniting Church in Australia. Led by the President and General Secretary, the Assembly plays a leading role in promoting the Church’s mission of making Christ’s love manifest in the world.

Holding together the mission and ministry of the UCA at a national level, the Assembly seeks to resource and encourage the church in areas key to our identity – working for justice, transforming worship, resourcing an informed faith, intercultural ministry, intergenerational life, our national commitment to live out our covenant with First Peoples and our engagement with ecumenical and interfaith partners.”

What are other’s thoughts with regard to granting non-rateability?

Does the fact that the Assembly operates at a national level have any impact on the application for non-rateability?

Secondly, could it be argued that non-rateability can be granted under:-

e) land that belongs to a religious body and is occupied and used in connection with-
(iv) a building used or occupied solely as the residence of the official head or the assistant official head (or both) of any religious body in the State or in any diocese within the State ?

Thanks

Jason

[Robert Hay]

Hi Jason

I would get them to clarify under exactly what section of the act they are applying for non-ratability and provide evidence of why they should be exempt under that section. It shouldn’t be up to Council to do the work for them.

Robert

• This reply was modified 8 months ago by Robert Hay.

[Jason Symons]

Hi Robert,

Thanks for that.

They did provide the details of the sections of the Act they are applying.

A response has been sent asking for more details/evidence to support the application.

Cheers

Jason

[Rebecca Coppolino]

Good morning

It would be great to get confirmation for “official head or the assistant official head (or both) of any religious body in the State or in any diocese within the State”. Previously we have had conversations around the official head of religious bodies being the Priests, Imams, Rabis etc…. We do not grant non-rateable to Nuns or sisters residence or anyone within an administration role.

[Jason Symons]

Hi Rebecca,

Thanks for the response. We’re still waiting for an organisational structure to be provided and confirmation on which area of the church this particular General Secretary sits. If it’s for the Synod, it seems that he is the head for the state, and is answerable to the Assembly which is a national body.

The position seems to be an overruling body of both the religious and administrative functions, so may will probably look at granting the request.

[Author]

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