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Rates & fees

Rates & fees

Rates are the main way residents fund the council. In most years an independent regulator (IPART) sets a 'rate peg' — the maximum percentage a council can lift its total rates income. Uralla is different for the next two years. On 2 June 2026 IPART approved a permanent special variation (SV) of 58.06% over two years for Uralla Shire Council: 28.5% in 2026–27 and a further 23% in 2027–28. Those percentages are inclusive of the annual rate peg, so for 2026–27 and 2027–28 the special variation — not the ordinary peg — sets the ceiling on the council's general rates income. From 2028–29 the ordinary rate peg applies again. Here's what that means, what the council said it is for, and the things that change your individual 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

Special variation (approved 2 June 2026)
+28.5% in 2026–27, +23% in 2027–28 — 58.06% over two years, permanentIPART approved the application in full. The percentages are inclusive of the annual rate peg, so the SV replaces the peg as the cap in each of those two years; IPART's determination shows the ordinary rate peg applying again from 2028–29. 'Permanent' means the higher rate base stays in place rather than unwinding after the two years.
What it applies to
The general rate onlyCouncil states the SV does not apply to water, sewer, waste or stormwater drainage charges, which are set separately. Like the rate peg, it caps the council's total general-rates income — it is not a fixed percentage added to every individual bill.
Why the council applied
Long-term financial sustainabilityIn its consultation material council said it was "in an unsustainable financial position", set out in its Long Term Financial Plan, and cited rising service-delivery costs, declining revenue sources, growing community needs and cost shifting from the NSW Government. It said the extra income is to keep delivering services including local roads and bridges, parks, libraries, waste services and community facilities. IPART said its decisions reflect a review against the criteria set by the Office of Local Government and consideration of submissions.
First time for Uralla
Council says it had never previously applied for a special rate variationIts one prior exception was an Administrative Rate Variation granted by the Minister in 2022, after a rate peg of 0.7% that year.
2026–27: 3.7% · 2025–26: 4.9%These are IPART's rate pegs for Uralla. They are what would have applied without the special variation, and they are what applies again from 2028–29.
~$699 / year (2024–25)About 42% below the NSW average of ~$1,203 (OLG time-series data). This figure predates the special variation. A low average residential rate reflects local land values and the council's rating structure.
Instalments
31 August, 30 November, 28 February, 31 MayOr pay in full by 31 August. Water is billed separately, twice a year in May and November, with payment due 30 days from issue.
Overdue interest (2026–27)
9.5% per annumA NSW-wide statutory maximum set annually by the Minister for Local Government (cash rate plus 6%, rounded to the nearest half per cent), applied by every council to overdue rates instalments. Council's own rates page still displays the 2025–26 figure of 10.5% — the statewide circular governs.
Pensioner concession
Up to $250 on ordinary rates and domestic waste chargesPlus up to $87.50 on water and up to $87.50 on sewerage charges. These are the mandatory concessions under state legislation for eligible pensioners who occupy the property as their sole or principal residence. Apply through council — rates@uralla.nsw.gov.au or (02) 6778 6300.
Rating structure review
Council resolved in June 2026 to review its rating structureAfter submissions on the draft 2026–27 Operational Plan raised concerns about the current rating model, council resolved to review the structure before the 2027–28 budget, with further community engagement. It also introduced a new rating category for renewable energy developments operating in the shire.
Rate category2025–26 (current)2026–27 (with SV)2027–28 (with SV)
Residential$613$788$969
Rural Residential$940$1,208$1,485
Farmland$4,811$6,183$7,604
Business$675$867$1,067

The council's own estimates of average rates by category under the special variation, published during its 2025 consultation. These are averages across all ratepayers in each category, based on the property valuations and rating structure at the time — an individual bill depends on the property's land value and category as determined by the NSW Valuer General. Source: Your Say Uralla Shire, Proposed Special Rate Variation.

The special variation caps the council's total general-rates income, not each household's bill. How your individual rates change depends on your land value relative to other properties at the latest revaluation and on your rating category — Uralla uses a base amount plus an ad valorem (cents-in-the-dollar) amount, with categories for Farmland, Residential (including a Rural Residential sub-category), Mining and Business. The category averages above are the council's own consultation estimates, published before the application was decided, and may differ from what appears on a given notice. Council also notes that a council with an approved special variation must report in its annual report on how the additional income was spent.

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.