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Rates & fees

Rates & fees

Rates are one of the ways residents fund the council — though in Murrumbidgee they are a smaller share of council income than in most NSW councils, with grants and contributions doing much of the work. Each year an independent regulator (IPART) sets a 'rate peg' — the maximum percentage the council can lift its total rates income. Here's the current figure, what your notice contains, and the dates that matter.

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 →

Rates at a glance

4.9%Set by IPART: a core peg of 3.5% (a 3.0% base cost change plus small ESL, productivity and election-cost adjustments) plus a 1.4% population factor. It caps the council's total rates income, not your individual bill.
5.4%IPART's peg for the previous year — a core peg of 4.3% plus a 1.1% population factor and adjustment.
~$380 / year (2024–25)About 68% below the NSW average of ~$1,203 (2023–24: $364 against ~$1,140). This is among the lowest average residential rates in NSW. Rate levels reflect land values and each council's rating structure, not the level of services provided. (OLG time-series data.)
What's on your notice
Ordinary rates + water access charge + domestic waste management chargeOrdinary rates depend on your property's category (farmland, residential, mining or business) and on land values set by the NSW Valuer General. The water access charge is an annual fixed fee for connection to the council's water supply; water consumption is billed separately. The domestic waste charge (~$308 in 2024–25) is separate from ordinary rates by law.
Payment dates
In full by 31 August, or four instalments: 31 Aug, 30 Nov, 28 Feb, 31 MayIf you pay by instalments, council sends a separate notice for the second, third and fourth instalments at least 30 days before each date. If a notice doesn't arrive, call 1300 676 243.
Overdue interest (2026–27)
9.5% per annumA NSW-wide maximum set annually by the Minister for Local Government under the Local Government Act (the cash rate plus 6%, rounded to the nearest half per cent), applied by every council to overdue rates instalments — see OLG Council Circular 26-06 (15 May 2026).
Concessions
Pensioner rebate: up to 50% of ordinary rates (max $250), plus up to $87.50 each on water and sewerageUnder s575 of the Local Government Act 1993, for Pensioner Concession Card and DVA Gold Card holders who own and live in the property. The State Government reimburses the council 55% of the concession; the council funds the other 45%. Application form on the council's website or at any council office.
Trouble paying
Payment plans available — interest and recovery action are paused during an agreed planCall 1300 676 243 for a confidential discussion; the council publishes a Rates, Fees and Charges Hardship Policy. Free independent help is available from the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.
Special rate variation (SRV)
None found in forceMurrumbidgee was not among the councils IPART determined special variations for on 2 June 2026, and we found no council-published SRV application. The ordinary IPART rate peg above is what applies. Confirm with the council if in doubt.

The rate peg limits the council's total rates income, not each household's bill. How your individual rates change depends mostly on how your land value moved relative to other properties at the latest revaluation, and on your property's rating category. The peg also does not cap the domestic waste charge or water and sewer charges, which are billed separately.

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.