← Ku-ring-gai Council
Rates & fees

Rates & fees

Rates are the main way residents fund the council. Each year an independent regulator (IPART) sets a 'rate peg' — the maximum percentage the council can lift its total rates income — but a council can also apply to IPART for a 'special variation' to go above the peg. In June 2026, IPART approved a large, permanent special variation for Ku-ring-gai. Here are the current figures, how they compare across NSW, and the things that actually change your bill.

New to these terms? Read them in plain English
Rate peg
The cap on how much a council's TOTAL rates income can rise this year.
Core peg
The rate peg before the population top-up — the part driven by rising costs.
Population factor
An extra slice of the rate peg for fast-growing councils.
Special Rate Variation (SRV)
Permission for a council to raise rates by more than the peg.
Land valuation
Your land's value, set by the state, used to split the rates bill between properties.
Pensioner rebate
A discount on rates for eligible pensioners.
Domestic waste charge
A separate annual fee for your bins — NOT part of the rate peg.
IPART
Sets the rate peg and reviews council pricing.
See the full explainer, with formulas →
6.1%Core 3.9% + a 2.2% population factor, set by IPART. It caps the council's total rates income, not your individual bill.
2026–27 rates (Ku-ring-gai)
+29.0% totalThe 4.4% rate peg (core 3.3% + 1.1% population factor) PLUS an IPART-approved permanent Special Rate Variation of 24.6%, effective from 1 July 2026 — expected to raise about $20.7 million a year.
How that compares (NSW, 2025–26)
Standard rate pegs ranged about 3.7%–7.6%Special variations like Ku-ring-gai's sit above the standard peg and are approved separately by IPART.
What the SRV funds
Community buildings, stormwater, footpaths, parks and traffic upgrades, plus the St Ives Indoor Sports Centre loanAverage residential impact estimated at about +$499/year.
What the peg/SRV caps
Total rates income — not your billIt doesn't cap the domestic waste charge, which is separate.
Why your bill can still change more (or less)
Land revaluations shift bills between propertiesYour share moves with your land value relative to other properties (NSW Valuer General).
Overdue interest (2025–26)
10.5% per annumCharged on rates instalments not paid by the due date.
Concessions
Statutory pensioner rebate up to $250, plus a council voluntary top-upThe voluntary top-up is about 8.5% of rates (averaging ~$146 in 2025–26). Check eligibility with the council.
Instalments
Full payment by 31 Aug, or quarterly (31 Aug, 30 Nov, 28 Feb, 31 May)

The rate peg and the Special Rate Variation both limit the council's total rates income, not each household's bill individually; how your own rates change also depends on how your land value moved relative to other properties at the latest revaluation. Ku-ring-gai also has two older, separate special variations already built into its rates base: an Environmental Levy (since 2005) and an Infrastructure SRV for roads (since 2001).

Sources — check it yourself

Figures are current as at the dates shown and may change — always confirm with the linked source. See the notice at the bottom of the page for full details and how to report a correction.