Have your say on mandatory rate rebates and exemptions
The LGA is releasing an issues paper on this topic to provide an in-depth analysis into how much these existing laws are costing the sector and communities each year. We know the figure is in the millions of dollars.
Councils can read the complete issues paper on our website.
It’s clear existing legislation is outdated, poorly targeted and places upward pressure on council rates for little return – simply put, it needs reviewing.
To support the LGA’s fight for change, we have launched a survey asking for feedback on questions like:
- Do mandatory rebates and exemptions result in an unfair distribution of rates or a loss of revenue for your council?
- Would you like to see a State Government review of all exemptions and rebates?
- Should all State Government exemptions and rebates be abolished to give individual councils the power to decide on these discounts?
Complete the survey (login required)
Responses from councils will help inform the LGA’s policy position on mandatory rebates and rate exemptions, and support our advocacy efforts with the State Government to push for legislative change.
The survey is now open and will close Friday 22 March. We encourage councils to get involved and have their say.
What are mandatory rebates and why should you care?
Mandatory rebates are state legislated discounts councils are required to give to certain organisations – including electricity generating companies, churches, schools and community housing providers – when paying their council rates.
South Australia has a more extensive system of mandatory rebates and rate exemptions than most other Australian jurisdictions. This system is outside the control of councils.
Across the state’s 68 local governments, the value of mandatory rebates more than doubled annually from $15 million to $32 million between 2009-10 and 2019-20.
Our issues paper shows the higher the mandatory rebates and exemptions, the greater the cost pressure put on other ratepayers, including families, single homeowners and local businesses.
Complete the survey (login required)
What LGA hopes to achieve
A review of mandatory rebates and council rate exemptions by the State Government is needed, in close consultation with local government.
The results of our survey will support the LGA’s calls to reduce the number of mandatory rebates and rate exemptions and provide councils with greater autonomy to determine how council rates should be distributed in their communities.
Contact us for more information
For general questions about the survey or issues paper, contact lgasa@lga.sa.gov.au
For media enquiries, contact media@lga.sa.gov.au