[Trevor Holland]

Howdy Elizabeth

Here at Lithgow we are experiencing problems as well.

We are also having a GVal this year.

Back at the start of December we noticed the LV totals did not agree with the VG totals. Difference of $220,000.

Email sent back at start of January. Response finally received 30 January 2026 after sending 3 follow up emails. Told it was reascertainment which had not issued on the supplementary list and we are working on a solution presently. In the interim we will issue an administrative advice. Still waiting for that to happen.

Moving forward. The VGs totals for the Supplementary List for 21 December 2025 are out of balance by $49.540.000. Nothing showing in the workflows list on Valnet (or whatever it is now called).Guessing it is reascertainments again. Will wait and see what they come back with.

Hope this is of assistance.
Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Very sad news. Neil will be greatly missed by us all.

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Maria

Came across this situation when I worked at Port Macquarie Hastings Council.

Found the residents were not eligible to claim rebates as they were not the registered owners of the property.

Agree with both Robert and Chad. Residents are not eligible for pension concession rebates/

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Rebecca

These are not always easy.

I think you need to determine that the premises are open for public worship. Are there signs outside the building indicating when members of the public can attend services?
If there are no signs it may be difficult to establish that it is for public worship.
You will need to ask for further information from this place of worship to establish that it meets the criteria for an exemption from rates.
Perhaps suggest that they obtain their own independent legal opinion on whether they should be exempt from rates.
Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Thanks Everybody

Appreciate the comments.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Gail

Can’t say I have ever come across this method of rating in either the Local Government Act 1919 or Local Government Act 1993.

I don’t believe there is a provision in either Act that would allow for Ordinary Rates to be levied in that way.

As outlined by Andrew it would be advisable for this method of rating to be avoided.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

G’day Matt

Totally agree that Andrew and Robert. Not taking up the rate peg is unwise. Any income lost will never be caught up once foregone.

Can remember this happening once back in the 1980’s when I was at Bathurst City Council.

I can’t recall any other Council’s going down this path.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

G’day Dallas

Yep. An interesting idea.

My question would be, what legislation would allow us to do this.

The backlash from your community. Could be seen as discriminating against the elderly who don’t have access or wish to use technology.

Administratively. Would aww it as being difficult and could require additional resources. Especially having to adjust whenever a Section 603 Certificate is issued.

Agree with David’s comments and would not support this idea.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Carmel
Came across this situation when I was up at Port Macquarie Hastings Council. Didn’t like it when I started levying rates and charges on them as per the lease.
Not sure if that is the still same as this was about 20 years ago when this happened.
Know Port Macquarie used to use Section 356 Can a Council financially assist others? to help groups within the community with the payment of rates and charges. Can recall it being given to community halls and the like. Facilities that were provided to the community and maintained by the various groups etcetera.
Tennis club was not included as they were charging for court hire and coaching fees. They were seen to be a business.
Hope this is of some assistance.
Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Thanks Andrew

Just like last time with the FESL.

Anything to do with State Government. They take their time getting everything organised and then expect Council’s to work in with them.

Really concerned how Council’s are going tp be able to get everything sorted by 2 December 2024.

It is an unrealistic timeframe given that we are probably needing to work with our individual software provider.

Would appreciate if the OLG could make representations on behalf of Council’s to have the deadline for the classification file extended by at least 3 months.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Fiona

Try talking to Mary Klower up at Port Macquarie.

Know that Port use Authority and also have stratas.
Can recall that they used to have the situation of new stratas coming from a strata child.

Reasonably sure Mary would have notes and be happy to assist.

Good Luck.

Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Peter

I have come across this situation.

Solution I came up which seems to work is as follows.

Require the customer to complete the pension concession application form and provide their current Pension Concession Card as proof of eligibility.

Grant the rebate for the current year and leave it at that.

Onus is on the ratepayer to come in to Council each year and complete the application form if they want the rebate to be granted.

Hope this helps.

Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hello All

Guess the next step will be to wait for the official advice including the guidelines to come out.

Can’t do a whole lot until that happens.

Let’s hope that they have learnt from FESL Mark 1.0 and this time around it is less chaotic. Only time will tell.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

G’day Dallas

Have come across this scenario before. Always took the approach that the remaining postponed rates and charges would drop off over the next few years.

Don’t see how the postponed rates legislation would allow them to become due and payable.

Each database handles postponed rates differently. Know Pathway created a separate notice for postponed & payable rates. Not sure how TechOne handles postponed rates as we don’t currently have any properties with Postponed Rates here at Lithgow.

Hope this helps.

Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Carmel

When I was at Port Macquarie surf life saving clubs were exempt from Ordinary Rates. From memory they were situated on Crown Land
Think they used to pay water, sewerage & garbage service charges.
That may have changed so might be worthwhile checking with PMHC.
Regards
Trevor

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