Rates & what they are used for

Rates make up approximately 40 percent of Council’s current income. Everyone who owns land in our local government area pays rates.  Around 21 percent of our income comes from fees and charges (eg water usage, waste management, venue hire fees, inspection fees, development application fees etc).  Grant funding makes up almost 25 percent of Council income, however is variable and is usually project specific. This funding is often linked to projects eg upgrading a road or to help Council build a new facility like the Bathurst Animal Rehoming Centre.  

We also receive funding from other sources like fines, events at Mount Panorama, land sales, developer contributions and interest. 

What do we spend rates on? 

The collection of rates and charges allows Council to fund critical infrastructure and services for our community for things like: 

  • Transport and active transport network which includes 829km of sealed roads and 358km of unsealed roads, and  almost 150km of cycleway and footpaths
  • Sporting and recreating facilities including 23 sporting facilities, 109 playgrounds and parks, and 102 general community parks 
  • Tourism and community facilities: including events, libraries, halls, cultural and entertainment venues, and the airport 
  • Planning, building, animal, health and public order controls 
  • Water facilities and sewer treatment infrastructure 
  • Stormwater network 
  • Waste collection facilities and services: including household waste collection services 

Each year, Council adopts a Revenue Policy Statement setting out our income and expenditure for the coming financial year, including information on rates, fees and charges.  The Revenue Policy is adopted as part of our suite of Integrated Planning & Reporting documents which can be viewed here.

 

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