Rates FAQs

The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been developed to assist ratepayers.

When are my Rates Notices issued?

Council issues half yearly Rates Notices.

1. August/September (1st levy) for the billing period 1 July to 31 December; and
2. In February/March (2nd levy) for the billing period 1 January to 30 June.

The 1st levy rate notice will include excess water levies incurred across period 19 December to 17 June. The 2nd levy rate notice will include excess water levies incurred across the period 18 June to 18 December.  

The 1st levy rate notice will also be accompanied by hardcopies of the Rates & Charges booklet and other standard inclusions.  Property owners are requested to retain this booklet for reference.  Copies will be available on Council’s website.

How can I get a copy of my Rates Notice?

You can request a copy of your Rates Notice and Water Notice by emailing mail@charterstowers.qld.gov.au

Cope of notices will incur charges as per Council's Fees & Charges Schedule of Fees & Charges. 

How can I get my Rates Notice emailed to me?

Complete the online form found on the Rates Change of Address page to receive your Rates Notice electronically.

You can also complete a Rates Notice to be Emailed Request Form to make the request.  A hard copy of this form can be collected from Council’s Administration Office located at 12 Mosman Street, Charters Towers.

How can I change my mailing address with Council?

Complete the online form found on the Rates Change of Address page to change your mailing address.

You can also complete a Rates Change of Mailing Address Request Form to change your mailing address.  A hard copy of this form can be collected from Council’s Administration Office located at 12 Mosman Street, Charters Towers.

Council requires that any changes made to mailing addresses be made in writing; a change of mailing address cannot be made over the telephone.

Please note that address changes are not confirmed as received by Council until in return, you receive a copy of this form, with the shaded Confirmation Section, dates, numbered and signed. It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure they receive the confirmation form. 

How do I receive a discount on my Rates?

You will only receive the discount amount noted on your Half Yearly Rates Notice if the total nett amount on that Notice is received by Council by the due date.

It is recommended that payments via BPAY®, Telephone or the Internet are transmitted at least 3 days prior to the due date to allow for payments to be processed and the receipt of funds be completed by the due date.

Please refer to Council’s Rates Payment Methods Page for more information.

What happens if I can’t pay my rates?

If Property Owners are unable to pay their rate account following the issue of Rates Notices, contact should be made to discuss payment options available. For example: A Rate Instalment Arrangement or Application for Hardship.

What happens if any rates are overdue?

The Rates Section follows Council’s Debt Recovery processes when rate accounts are outstanding.   Property files are sent to Council’s debt recovery agency Collection House for recovery of the outstanding rates on behalf Council.  Once Collection House has the property file, all correspondence needs to be undertaken with them, not with Council, until the account is resolved.

What Concessions or Rebates are available?

Rebates and concessions are determined on an annual basis on the adoption of each budget and reflect Council's commitment to continue to assist Pensioners with their payment of Rates.

Please visit the Rate Discounts, Rebates & Concessions page for more information.

Who values my property?

Department of Resources (DR) is responsible for valuing all properties in the Local Government Area (LGA).  Council uses this valuation to calculate the General Rates component of each Levy.  All enquiries relating to valuations should be directed to the Department by phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or email.

How do I question Charges on my Rate Account?

Should a property owner consider there is an error in the charges levied on the Rate Account, contact is required to be made with the Rates Section prior to the due date on the Rates Notice.  Such advice does not extend the discount period.  Following a review of the matter & should the matter result in a reduction to the levy, refunds will be processed accordingly.  Enquiries can be made by email or phone Council’s Administration Centre on 07 4761 5300.

How do I register for MiWater?

Property Owners in Charters Towers can monitor water consumption through the free MiWater website. Visit charterstowers.aqualus.com/ for more information. Contact the Rates Team at 07 4761 5300 for your assessment number to sign up. 

How do I read my water meter?

Below is a picture of a water meter, which recorded a quantity of 5,019.663 kilolitres of water during its useful life.

The black and white section represents kilolitres, while the three red numbers represent litres.  When the red section reaches 999, as the next litre is used, the black and white kilolitres will increase by one, and the red section will revert back to 000, ready to count the next 1000 litres.

Monitoring Water Usage

It is the responsibility of each property owner to monitor the water usage recorded by their water meter.  Such monitoring allows changes in water usage to be investigated early, as they are happening, therefore avoiding unexpected excess.  There are many avenues where increased water usage can be used without one being consciously aware that it is. 

Causes such as:

1. Leaks between the meter and the house or the meter and the yard taps.
2. Timer issues experienced in automatic sprinkler networks.
3. Leaks associated with a cistern within the house, or increased pool evaporation increasing the activation of the automatic fill valve.
4. Subtle increased watering of yards and gardens during periods of extreme dry.
5. Watering yards by way of sprinklers, where timers are not utilised, results in sprinklers being inadvertently left on for extended periods.

“It is impractical to wait until the 1st  & 2nd Half Yearly Rates Notices arrive in the mail to ‘discover’ excess usage.  Excess usage needs to be identified early so that the cause can be resolved before the circumstance turns into an unplanned excess water bill.  It is strongly recommended that ratepayers sign up for MiWater, so they can actively monitor their usage and be notified when leaks may be occurring.