[Trevor Holland]

Bit odd. Haven’t come across this situation before.

Might be overthinking this but I am wondering whether categorising the land as residential without consent being granted could cause problems later on. Don’t know enough about planning to answer one way or the other.

Definitely check with your planning section.

If they confirm that planning consent is required for residential use I would insist the owners arrange for this to occur prior to re-categorising and rating residential.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

We don’t currently have a Women’s Shed on Crown Land here in Lithgow but I wouldn’t be surprised if one pops up at some point in the future.

These situations cause a bit of a dilemma don’t they?
Council’s want to be seen to be encouraging these organisations and facilities that are beneficial to their communities while still complying with LGA legislation.

Am wondering whether this lease to the Women’s Shed can be determined as not being for private purposes?

The LG Revenue Manual has some discussion on Page 62 regarding the terms “Private purposes” and “Public”. This may help.

You could ask for a copy of Articles of Association for the Women’s Shed to determine what they are set up for and whether this benefits the public etcetera. There would probably be something in the details about what happens to surplus funds should the organisation decide to close down. I don’t think it would be for private gain.

If you do decide that the land should remain as being rateable your Council could always make a donation towards payment of rates and charges under Section 356 of the LGA Can a council financially assist others?

Will be interested to hear the thoughts of others on this topic.

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Wendy
Agree with Andrew’s comments.
Department of Education could be seen to be a NSW government body or statutory body representing the Crown.
On that basis they would comply with S555 of the Act and would be exempt from rates and charges.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Karen

Try giving Blue Mountains City Council a call.

Merchant service fees on credit cards were introduced when I was working there.

Just checked my rate notice as I live up there. Mentions credit card transaction fees being applied so this is what you are after.

Hope this helps.

Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Andrea
My 2 cents worth.
Does Regulation 122 of Local Government(General) Regulation 2021 apply to this type of development?
Mentions land used for retirement village, serviced apartments or time share to be categorised as residential.
Would disregard the description from Planning NSW.
Think it should be categorised and rated as Residential.
What do others out there think? Be interested to hear their interpretations.
Trvor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Brigitte
Feel your pain.
Might be worthwhile moving everything across to Authority and seeing if that does the job.
Port Macquarie use Authority and have Trade Waste Charges so give them a call and see if they can assist.
Regards
Trevor Holland

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Maria

Lithgow grants a voluntary rebate of $135.00 off water availability charges.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Good Evening
Have checked our records and can confirm that Lithgow City Council has not received any requests for rate exemption from this organisation.
Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Cherie

Our call centre handles basic calls including Section 603 Certificate updates.

Anything untoward or complex gets put through to Revenue Section.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Karen

CSHC is the same as a Senior’s Health Card.

It is not a Pension Concession Card so they would not be eligible for the rebate.

If your customer’s friends have been granted a rebate using a CSHC Card it is incorrect.

Hope this helps.

Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Jeanette

The majority of Lithgow water meters are automated reads. Still a few meters that require manual reads which are done by Council staff.

Taking 3 to 4 weeks to get manual reads done as meters are spread across Council area. We are looking at tweaking process to improve reading times.

Readings are done 4 times per year with bills due approximately 30 days after date of issue. Use Forms Express for printing of water/sewerage usage accounts.

Hope this helps.
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Dani

Try looking at the local government act legislation for each of the states.

You will probably find each state is different. Know when I was at Port Macquarie and was looking at rebates for superannuants I found that other states (WA and South Aust from memory) gave rebates to superannuants.

Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Looks like Lithgow will be applying

[Trevor Holland]

Howdy Pete

Currently 6%
Next year will be 6% as well.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Morning Jason

I have found it quite a common practice for the Valuer-General to ask for plans and land sizes to be provided when requesting separate valuations.

Have requested quite a few part lot entries for separately leased areas. Have always provided maps/plans as a matter of course as it tends to speed up the process.

Couple of suggestions that may help.

Not sure what your Council’s records are like. If you can’t get GIS to assist maybe there are site plans on file to show the buildings and surrounding curtilage areas for the childcare centres.

Alternatively, if leases have been drawn and registered these sometimes have maps of the leased areas attached.

Hope this helps.

Trevor

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