[Trevor Holland]

Hi Maria
Perhaps ask them if they have Articles of Association that they could provide to you.
That may provide some guidance and assist in making a decision on the exemption request.
Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Jeanette

Yep. Telstra and any other telecommunications tower on leased land with separate valuation should be rated as Business.

Might be advisable to check the terms of the lease to ensure there is a clause saying Telstra are required to pay the rates.

Have seen some leases where there is no clause stipulating the telecommunications provider has to pay the rates. In those situations the property owner would be liable to pay the rates that are levied.

Hope this helps.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Everyone

Same here at Lithgow. Service NSW asked us to put in a claim for those partially damaged properties.

To date, we still haven’t heard anything despite follow up emails on a number of occasions.

Thanks for offering to this up Ian as we are still receiving enquiries from other bushfire affected ratepayers

A link to the recent media release is included below.

https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/council-rates-relief-for-bushfire-victims-extended-for-another-six-months

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Thanks Lee

Great to hear a positive response.

Thanks for putting me in touch with Lucas.

Stay safe
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hello Everyone

Introduced this at Blue Mountains and also have it down here at Lithgow.

Was a pain to get it organised up at Blue Mountains but once incorporated it worked well and stopped the phone calls from Conveyancers and solicitors.

Seems to be the norm now that the settlements are happening with PEXA.

Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

G’day Todd

An interesting question.

Had a look at the definition of the term rail infrastructure Facilities under the Transport Administration Act 1988 Section 3.

Reads as follows:

“rail infrastructure facilities” —

(a) includes railway track, associated track structures, over track structures, cuttings, drainage works, track support earthworks and fences, tunnels, bridges, level crossings, service roads, signalling systems, train control systems, communication systems, overhead power supply systems, power and communication cables, and associated works, buildings, plant, machinery and equipment, but

(b) does not include any stations, platforms, rolling stock, rolling stock maintenance facilities, office buildings or housing, freight centres or depots, private sidings or spur lines connected to premises not vested in or owned by or managed or controlled by a rail infrastructure owner.

My initial thought was I can’t see that vacant shop(s) are included in this definition so I am of the same opinion as yourself. Not eligible for a rate exemption.

Then again could the vacant shops, which are going to be eventually demolished and developed, fall under Part(a) of the definition and deemed to be “associated works or buildings”?

Will be interested to hear the thoughts of others. Maybe it is worth running the question past your legal advisors to see what they come up with.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

G’day Katie

For our water meter reading we use a product called Mi Water, electronic meter reading. Was installed about 12-16 months ago which is before I started working here.

Allows us to read meters electronically. Some meters are still read manually.

Links into Tech One okay and seems to do the job.

If you want more information send an email through to our Water Section council@lithgow.nsw.gov.au and they will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding implementation and so on.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

G’day Skye

Here at Lithgow Council we have a Hardship Committee that meets on an as needs basis.

Our committee is made up of three (3) officers.

Myself as Revenue Manager, Finance Manager and Customer Service Team Leader.

We meet on an as needs basis when Hardship Applications are received.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Everyone

Here at Lithgow I have the grand total of 4 properties.

It may be worthwhile contacting the authority responsible for setting up and registering the Conservation Agreements and requesting a current listing of properties so the details can be checked against the properties you are currently giving the exemptions to.

Reason for suggesting this is when I was at Blue Mountains I came across the situation of a private owner receiving an exemption from rates incorrectly due to misinterpretation of the LGA and what constituted a conservation agreement. Received the exemption for numerous years before I made the property rateable.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hello

2.6% here at Lithgow.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Blue Mountains were including these details when known. Found it was handy especially for pensioners.
New Council that I have just started at Lithgow is not keeping the details.
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Everyone

If anyone else would like a copy of the information I mentioned in yesterday’s post feel free to contact me directly and i can email the details through.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Penny

We experienced this very same dilemma back in October 2013 when bushfires destroyed a large number of homes in the Blue Mountains Council area.

The approach we took was to leave the pensioner rebate intact until the end of the financial period and cease it from the start of the next financial period.
We also made adjustments to the waste management service charges as well by changing them back to a vacant charge.

I think Bega Council went through a similar experience not that long ago with the township of Tathra. I can recall sending some information through to them at the time so am happy to share that with you.

Hope this helps.

Regards
Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Hi Jeanne
Concur with the comments made by everyone. There is no requirement for rates to be paid in full at the time of settlement.
Sometimes we receive payment of the instalment. Sometimes it will for the balance outstanding including future instalments.
Really depends on the agreed terms of settlement.

Trevor

[Trevor Holland]

Howdy Pete

Definitely not the case at Blue Mountains. We do not extend a pension concession to holders of the Seniors Card.

Agree with Suzi. A case of the customer misunderstanding the information that has been provided to them by NSW Service.

If it is found that Sevice NSW are providing incorrect information it deinfitely needs to be taken up with them in a timely basis.

Regards
Trevor

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