The money we earn from rates, helps us maintain the city and provide services. It funds our infrastructure - roads, footpaths and pipes for water supply and wastewater disposal, and amenities such as parks, libraries and recreation centres.
Rates amount to about half of our total funding each financial year. Other funding comes from government grants (particularly for roads and cycleways), fees and charges, dividends from Council-owned companies and borrowing. Learn more.
Rates are a property tax, so are paid irrespective of how much the ratepayer uses our services. However, some rates (particularly those for water and sewerage) are charged only to properties within our serviced areas. If your property is outside these areas, you will not be charged these rates. Find out how rates are calculated.
We set rates on 1 July each year and these apply until the end of the following June. We set your rates for the whole year, so any changes to your property (such as demolition or new building) won’t affect your rates until the following 1 July.
The first instalment invoice will include an assessment, showing the full amount payable over the whole year.