How your rates are set and spent
Your rates help to make Bayside the place we love.
They build local roads, footpaths and bike trails. They maintain sports facilities, parks and 17km of beautiful foreshore.
Rates support the places where our community comes together - libraries, community centres, shopping villages and men’s sheds. They fund the collection and processing of household rubbish and recycling, and help lost pets make it home.
Rates help support the older, vulnerable members of our community; babies and new parents; children and young people.
How every $100 is spent on our major service categories
- $30.30 Capital works
- $11.97 Aged services
- $11.80 Roads and drainage
- $10.15 Planning and amenity
- $10.02 Property and facilities
- $9.63 Environment and waste
- $9.46 Parks and leisure
- $3.49 Libraries, arts and culture
- $3.18 Family services
What we are working on
The 2024/25 Bayside City Council budget outlines the latest projects we're working on.
Your questions about rates answered
How are the rates set?
Each council takes the total rate revenue to be collected and divides it by the total value of all properties in its municipality to calculate the rate in the dollar.
This ensures councils do not receive more money when property values rise.
The rate in the dollar is then multiplied by the market value of each property to ensure each ratepayer contributes a fair share.
We will add the municipal charge which is also included in the rate cap. Waste charges and your fire services property levy are then added to your general rates notice to determine the total amount you will pay.
What do the valuations on my notice mean?
Capital Improved Value (property and land) and Site Value (land only) are separate valuations and not added together.
Capital Improved Value: CIV is the total market value of the property including land and all improvements. Site Value (SV)
Site Value: SV is the value of the land only (assuming vacant land with no buildings). These valuations may be used by other authorities for the purpose of a rate or tax.
Net Annual Value: NAV is relevant for non-residential properties, commercial, tenanted or investment properties. NAV for residential properties is approximately 5% of the capital improved value.
What is rate capping?
Rate capping is a limit set by Victorian Government on how much Councils can collect each year. The rate is set for 2024/25 is 2.75%.
Your rates may have increased by less or more than 2.75%, dependent on your valuation in comparison to the rest of Bayside.
What is the Municipal Charge and what is it used for?
The Municipal Charge covers administrative costs and applies to all properties equally, irrespective of value.
We list a breakdown of your rates and charges on the back of your annual notice. The Municipal Charge is subject to the rate cap.
What is the Waste Service contribution charge?
Every property in Bayside pays a waste service charge, regardless of if they have a bin at the property or not.
We introduced a contribution fee to ensure that every owner is equally supporting and paying for services such as cleaning and waste management in public areas such as street sweeping, street bins and beach cleaning.
Food and green waste is an optional service and is not paid for by residents who do not have the additional collection.
Which waste service am I paying for?
Our property's waste service charge will be listed on the back of your rates notice.
There are different options waste bin sizes and waste bin types for ratepayers to choose from. Additional bins may also be requested (fees apply).
If you have a waste bin at your property - your waste charge will pay for the weekly green waste, fortnightly garbage & recycling and hard rubbish collection plus a contribution fee.
If you do not have a waste bin at your property you will only pay a contribution fee, which covers services such as street sweeping, public bins and beach cleaning.
Food and green waste is an optional service and is not paid for by residents who do not have the additional collection. This is a one-off additional fee and will not appear on your rates notice.
If you wish to discuss alternative waste service options, please contact 9599 4444 for more information.
What is the Fire Services Levy?
As part of your rates, we collect the Fire Services Levy on behalf of the Victorian State Government.
Am I eligible for a pensioner concession?
If you live in a Bayside property and hold one of the below eligible concession card then you can apply for a rebate.
Eligible concession cards:
- Pensioner Concession Card - Issued by Centrelink or Department of Veterans' Affairs
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card - War Widow (WW)
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card - Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI)
Criteria:
- Your concession card must be valid at the time of application.
- You are the person responsible for payment of the account.
- Your name is on the rate notice.
- Your name and address on the account must match that on the concession card, and the address must be your principal place of residence.
Please note that Health Care Cards or Senior Cards are not accepted.
Apply for a pensioner concession
Can I object to my rate/valuation?
If you have queries or concerns regarding your rates calculations then you can submit a rates valuation enquiry or call us on 9599 4444.
Why are my rates different to in other municipalities?
Different municipalities require different levels of funding for services. Find out more about how we compare to other regions at Know Your Council.
Why have the names changed on my rates notice?
It’s a legislative requirement that the name(s) of all property owner(s) must appear on the rates notice for a property.
Interest charged on unpaid rates
The interest rate charged on all overdue rates and charges is fixed under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983.
The rate that will apply for the 2024/25 year is 10% per annum on all payments not received by the due date. Interest will continue to accrue until paid in full.
Interest on instalment payments will be backdated to the due date of the first instalment.