[Jason Symons]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks so much for the advice, greatly appreciated.

Have a great weekend.

Jason

[Jason Symons]

That should have said base date 01/07/2022 & 01/07/2025.

[Jason Symons]

Hi Maria,

Thanks for getting back to me. And yes, it does help.

I have to admit these couple of requests are the first in all my time in Rates/Revenue that I have heard Centrelink asking for a copy of the notice/s.

Maybe we’ve just never been given a reason before.

I did suggest an Ownership letter, but the requestor/s want notices for some reason.

Cheers

Jason

[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.

[Jason Symons]

Hi Gail,

I found this in the following workpaper https://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/cm9_documents/Presentation-Ratepayer-workshop-25-August-2025.PDF

What is the dam safety levy?
• The NSW Government has introduced a dam safety levy to
help fund the safety regulator, Dams Safety NSW (DSNSW)
• Applicable from 1 July 2025
• The levy applies to ‘declared’ dams
• Declared dams include water supply as well flood
mitigation dams such as retention basins
What costs would be included in the rate peg?
• Only council-owned non-water supply dams
• Water supply dams could be recovered from water charges
We are proposing to introduce this for the 2026-27 rate peg
• They are additional, new costs
• Councils have no control over them
• The likely impact is small (less than 0.1% to 0.5%, around 30
councils)

I couldn’t find anything else when doing a Google search.

Cheers

Jason

[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

[Jason Symons]

Thanks Matthew, I appreciate you getting back to me.

I’ve drafted a letter to Centrelink, but also the daughter is more than happy to contact them as well. She is wanting an explanation as to why they are responding to a verification with information that is clearly wrong.

Kind regards

Jason

[Jason Symons]

Hi Andrew,

Exactly. Words to the effect were thrown around at the time, however it fell on deaf ears. In addition, you’ll note there wasn’t any mention in the resolution of what Section of the Act the rebate was being offered.

Regards

Jason

[Jason Symons]

Hi Suzy,

The CSHC rebate offered at Strathfield is a voluntary rebate under that was resolved by Council prior to the 2017/2018 Operational plan being adopted. This article gives an indication of why the Council introduced the voluntary rebate. https://www.australianunions.org.au/2016/11/02/age-pension-eligibility-what-you-need-to-know/

The following is from the minutes of the 21 March 2017 Council meeting.

CS1. Strathfield Council Community Strategic Plan
39/17
RESOLVED: (Kokkolis/McLucas)

5. That Council give notice of its intention to place upon public exhibition for 28 days:
i. Make and levy an Ordinary Rate to comprise a base rate and ad valorem rating
structure for both Residential and Business categories of rates on all rateable land
for 2017-2018, as set out in the Report; and
ii. Increase rates income by 1.5% in 2017-2018 in accordance with the permissible rate
increase set by IPART.
iii. That the concessional domestic Waste Management Charge of $600 applicable to
pensioners be extended to Commonwealth Senior Health Cardholders for their
principal place of residence of the same address;
iv. That the concessional Pensioner Rebate be extended to Commonwealth Senior
Health Cardholders for their principal place of residence of the same address.

I hope that helps.

Jason

[Jason Symons]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for letting us know.

Would it be possible to highlight some of the calculation issues so we can keep an eye out?

Thanks

Jason

[Jason Symons]

Hi Darryl,

Thanks so much for your response, I appreciate your unqualified legal interpretation. It clarifies my question about rateability of both roads and Westconnex Infrastructure. It all comes back to management of the roads, rather than the roads being leased.

[Jason Symons]

Hi Andrew,

Thank you for the response, it definitely is helpful. I wasn’t sure if Trustees who weren’t registered as charities, entitled to a tax exemption, etc. were also entitled to claim non-rateability, so your explanation clears that up.

And I can definitely say the property is, for all intents and purposes, being used as a church.

Thanks again.

Regards

Jason

[Jason Symons]

Hi Darryl.

Thanks so much for that advice. I missed that part about still needing to get the main payment.

Cheers

Jason

[Jason Symons]

Hi Pete,

I agree with Andrea.

We submit our documents in PDF format, and have never had an issue after their first request to provide it in the format they wanted.

At that time we had an acting CFO who was previously an auditor. He said the auditors have the capability and resources required to pull the data out of the format provided and into the format they require.

Cheers

Jason

[Jason Symons]

Thanks Trevor,

I appreciate your advice. I’ll see if our GIS officer can get something for me to send.

Cheers

Jason

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