Narrandera Shire council rates — what you pay and when

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. Narrandera is a slightly unusual case: IPART approved a permanent special variation in May 2024 that lifted the council's general income by a cumulative 48.1% across 2024–25 and 2025–26, so those two years rose by more than the peg. That variation has now run its course; for 2026–27 the ordinary rate peg applies again. Here's the current figure, the special variation detail, 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 →

Rates at a glance

: 3.3%Set by IPART — a base cost change of 3.0% plus small adjustment factors. Council's Operational Plan and Budget 2026-27 states the same figure. The peg caps the council's total rates income, not your individual bill.
: 4.0%IPART's ordinary peg for Narrandera for 2025–26. The special variation approved in 2024 applied instead in that year (see below).
Special rate variation (SRV): 48.1% cumulative over 2024–25 and 2025–26 — permanent, now completeIPART approved the council's application in May 2024: an increase in general income of 25.5% in 2024–25 (including that year's 4.5% rate peg) and 18.0% in 2025–26 (including the applicable peg). The increase is permanent and stays in the rate base. Council told IPART it sought the variation to cover costs outpacing revenue growth, maintain current service levels, and start the Narrandera CBD stormwater duplication project. IPART also approved matching minimum-rate increases: the Residential, Business Ordinary and Farmland Ordinary minimum rose from $510 to $755 over the two years, and the 'Business Narrandera' minimum from $570 to $845. A separate permanent Additional Special Variation of 2.0% had been approved for 2022–23.
: ~$932 / year (2024–25)About 23% below the NSW average of ~$1,203; in 2023–24 it was $741 against a NSW average of ~$1,140 (OLG time-series data). A domestic waste charge (~$361 in 2024–25) is separate.
Instalment dates: 31 August, 30 November, 28 February and 31 MayRates can be paid in full by 31 August, or in four quarterly instalments on those dates. Council sends a reminder instalment notice before each of the last three.
Overdue interest (2026–27): 9.5% per annumThe maximum rate set by the Minister for Local Government for 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027 (OLG Council Circular 26-06, 15 May 2026), calculated daily on a simple-interest basis. Council's Operational Plan and Budget 2026-27 states it will levy this maximum.
Concessions: Eligible pensioners: up to $250 off rates + domestic waste, plus $87.50 water and $87.50 sewerage accessStatutory concession under s575 of the Local Government Act 1993 for holders of a Pensioner Concession Card, a DVA Gold Card embossed 'TPI' or 'EDA', and eligible war widows/widowers. The cost is shared 55% NSW Government / 45% council. Apply through the council.
What the peg caps: Total rates income — not your billIt doesn't cap the domestic waste charge, or water and sewer charges, which are billed separately.

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 — the NSW Valuer General's fact sheet, linked from the council's rates page, explains that. Council bills water separately in Narrandera and reads meters in January, April and October; Goldenfields Water County Council supplies several of the villages.

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.