UNDERSTANDYOUR RATES

2021/22

A brief guide to how we are supporting

and investing in your local community

VISITkingston.vic.gov.au

/ratesto watch our short

explainer video

KINGSTON COMMUNITY VISION STATEMENT:

"Kingston is a resilient, inclusive and diverse community. We are building the most liveable and sustainable city in Victoria. We champion and nurture our green and open spaces creating a safe, healthy environment.Our shared legacy connects our community, embracing innovation, making Kingston the place to live."

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY VISIONVisit kingston.vic.gov.au/vision

Our focus this year is to continue to support our community reopen following the hardships of the last 18 months, while continuing to deliver a broad range of high-quality services, maintaining vital infrastructure and delivering new projects that will strengthen our community.

As part of our commitment to alleviate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for our community and businesses, Council has again committed to not raise interest on overdue rates and charges for the 2021/22 financial year.

We are committed to working towards achieving our new Community Vision. A vision that focusses on inclusiveness, diversity, resilience, protecting our natural environment, thriving businesses and embracing innovation – all key ingredients to help build a liveable and sustainable city. Your rates will be wisely invested to support us in achieving this vision.

We are delighted to present an ambitious $75 million capital works program. Our priorities include enhancing green open-spaces and delivering the Sandbelt Open Space – Chain of Parks project, funding well-maintained facilities, ensuring that local sports clubs are accessible for all, providing sporting facilities for sports women and girls, responding to the climate and ecological emergency and ensuring vital infrastructure like roads and drains are well-maintained.

We will continue to invest ratepayers’ funds to provide high-quality services for all ages, work closely with all levels of government to advocate for our residents as well as secure funding to jointly deliver projects for our community. And, we will continue to look for innovative ways to leverage technology to improve customer service, meaningfully engage with our community and drive efficiency improvements to contain and reduce costs without impacting service levels.

Finally, a message to all non-resident ratepayers. Did you know you are no longer automatically included on the electoral role or required to vote in Kingston elections? But if you want to have a say in what happens in our area then we urge you to register to be put on the electoral role. You can do this by heading to kingston.vic.gov.au/elections.

Cr Steve StaikosMAYOR , CITY OF KINGSTON

FRO

M TH

E MAYO

R

2021-22 BUDGET AT A GLANCE

MAINTAINING VITAL COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE

$6.7M Road renewal and reconstruction ($21.75M over next 3 years)

$0.9M Traffic management improvement program ($3.5M program over 3 years)

$2.7M Flood mitigation – drainage upgrades ($8.4M over next 3 years)

$0.7M Footpath renewals ($2.1M over next 3 years)

INVESTING IN FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY

$0.5M Parkdale Family & Children’s Centre – collaborative workspace (start of $1.5M project)

$0.2M New aquatic centre – commence planning activities (approx. $50M+ project over 5 years)

$0.25M Scout and Girl Guide Halls – improving access (final year of $1.7M investment)

$1.3M Libraries – new resources and facilities ($4.3M book stock and facility improvements over 3 years)

IMPROVING COMMUNITY ASSETS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

$0.5M Chelsea Rail pedestrian bridge ($0.75M over two years)

$0.64M Mentone station and activity centre development

$0.2M Cheltenham forecourt works (to complete current stage of $1.8M project)

$0.25M Kingston Industrial Precinct asset renewal ($0.75M over 3 years)

RESPONDING TO THE CLIMATE AND ECOLOGICAL EMERGENCY

$0.25M Environmental efficiency upgrades ($0.75M over 3 years)

$0.25M Integrated water management ($0.75M over 3 years)

$0.2M Climate change urban cooling strategy ($0.4M over 3 years)

$0.4M Landfill remediation ($1.3M program over 3 years)

$0.2M Greenhouse gas reduction ($0.6M over 3 years)

ENHANCING PARKS AND OPEN SPACE

$2.1M Peter Scullin Reserve, Mordialloc – playground and Changing Places public toilet

$1.25M Elder Street South Reserve, Clarinda – new park (final stage of $2.3M project)

$0.5M Chain of Parks Trail – linking Karkarook Park to Settlement Creek (start of $1M project)

$0.5M Longbeach Trail Rehabilitation – Thames Promenade to Edithvale Road ($2.3M project over 4 years)

SUPPORTING AN ACTIVE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY

$11.2M Mentone Life Saving Club redevelopment ($14M over 3 years)

$3.0M Aspendale Life Saving Club ($4.5M over 2 years)

$1.5M Bonbeach Lifesaving Club (final stage of $3M project)

$1.1M Chelsea Yacht Club refurbishment (final stage of $1.6M project)

$2.45M Souter Reserve Pavilion, Dingley (start of $6.2M project)

$2.0M GR Bricker Reserve Pavilion (start of $4.5M project)

$1.8M Aspendale Gardens Sports Ground Pavilion, Stage 2 (final stage of $4.4M project)

$1.8M Roy Dore Reserve, Carrum – sporting precinct upgrades (part of $9.7M development over 3 years)

$2.7M Chadwick Reserve, Dingley – sporting precinct upgrades (part of $5M development over 3 years)

$0.5M Dolamore Reserve Athletics Track Renewal (final stage of $1.9M project)

$1.1M Sports lighting upgrade program (part of $4.4M program over 3 years)

$0.5M Walking and cycling improvements ($1.2M program over 3 years)

FOR EVERY $100 COUNCIL SPENDS ON COMMUNITY SERVICES, IT GOES TO…

CAPITAL WORKS

COMMUNITY SERVICES

$31.36

$4.91

PARKS & MAINTENANCE

INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT

$7.95

$2.56

ROADS AND DRAINS

LOCAL LAW EDUCATION & COMPLIANCE

$2.00

$3.16

LIBRARY & EDUCATION SESSIONS

LAND USE PLANNING

$2.34

$0.94

AGED & DISABILITY SUPPORT

CUSTOMER SERVICE

$11.62

$0.98

FOR EVERY $100 COUNCIL SPENDS ON COMMUNITY SERVICES, IT GOES TO…

GOVERNANCE & REPORTING

ARTS

$2.49

$1.18

COMMUNITY RELATIONS & EVENTS

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

$1.70

$0.07

WASTE MANAGEMENT

YOUTH SERVICES

$8.01

$0.62

FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICES

URBAN PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

$8.10

$3.63

LEISURE CENTRES

COMMUNITY BUILDINGS

$2.45

$3.93

HOW ARE MY RATES CALCULATED?Your share of the total rate amount is set by the value of your property plus a municipal charge, a user-pays waste charge and a Fire Services Levy.

HOW MUCH IS COUNCIL ALLOWED TO COLLECT?The Victorian Government has determined a rate cap of 1.5% this year. This means that local councils can only increase the average amount of rates and municipal charge collected by 1.5%.

It is important to note that the rate cap does not mean that rates for each individual property will increase by 1.5%, the cap applies to the average rates bill, not individual properties.

HOW IS MY PROPERTY VALUE DETERMINED?Each year every property is valued, as required by the Victorian Government. Your property value was calculated by the Victorian Government's Valuer-General as at 1 January 2021 and is shown on your rate notice.

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE’S RATES GO UP BY MORE THAN 1.5% WHILE OTHERS GO DOWN? Not everyone’s rates will go up by 1.5%. Your rates could increase by more or less than 1.5% because rates are affected by changes in the value of your property. Properties right across Kingston are now independently valued every year, by the Victorian Valuer-General. Higher value properties pay a greater share, while lower valued properties pay a smaller share.

As at 1 January 2021 (the date of Kington's valuations) the majority of properties in Kingston decreased slightly in value, however some properties have increased, and some by more than others. The key issue in determining your share is how your property value has moved in comparison to the average movement of properties in Kingston.

RESIDENT 1 – NAOMINaomi’s rates notice has increased. This is because her property value has increased by more than the average in Kingston. Naomi’s property now has a higher relative value than the average in Kingston, therefore her share of the overall rates increases.

RESIDENT 2 – JOHNJohn’s rates notice has decreased, even though his property value has increased. This is because other properties in Kingston have risen by more than John’s property. Because John’s property valuation has risen by less than the average in Kingston, his share of the overall rates decreases.

CASE STUDIES

General rates & municipal charges(capped at 1.5%)

Wastecharges

CouncilRates

TOTALBILL

GR CRFire servicesproperty levy

(set by State Gov)

WHY DO RATES DIFFER FOR SIMILAR PROPERTIES IN DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITIES? Rates are calculated based on the value of a property relative to the value of all other properties within the municipality. A property of a similar value to one in Kingston, located in a neighbouring municipality may pay a higher or lower rates bill depending on the values of all the other properties in their municipality. This is because the total rates collected is spread over every rateable property within the municipality.

WHAT DO I DO IF I THINK MY PROPERTY VALUATION ISN’T RIGHT? You can query your property valuation via: Online: kingston.vic.gov.au/valuationenquiry Phone: 1300 653 356Mail: Property Data Department, PO Box 1000 Mentone VIC 3194

IS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE? Council provides a pensioner rates rebate of $113.90 in addition to the Victorian Government rebate of up to $247. There is also a $50 rebate on the Fire Services Levy for pensioners. Council has again committed to not raise interest on overdue rates and charges for the 2021/22 financial year.

Financial hardship approved ratepayers can defer rates and arrange a payment plan interest free. Payment arrangements will also be considered upon application. If you are experiencing financial hardship please contact Council on 1300 653 356 to discuss options available to you.

WHAT ARE WASTE CHARGES?The Victorian Government charges a landfill levy on all waste disposed at landfills. As part of the State Government’s Recycling Victoria package, levy charges increased from 1 July 2021.

Waste charges are set according to the size of the household waste, recycling and garden waste bins you have selected for your property and cover the costs of garbage collection and the fees set by landfill operators to dispose of household waste.

WHY HAS MY WASTE CHARGE CHANGED THIS YEAR?Last year, as part of our COVID-19 Support Package for the community all residents with a residential bin service received $118 waste discount. This year the waste charge has returned to normal, which is why your rates might seem higher on this notice.

WHAT IS THE FIRE SERVICES LEVY?The Fire Services Levy helps fund firefighting services from Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV). It is set by the Victorian Government, not Council.

Council passes all funds collected directly to the Victorian Government. For more information about the levy visit firelevy.vic.gov.au

WAYS TO PAY YOUR RATES

DIRECT-DEBIT INSTALMENTS10 payments debited from your nominated cheque or savings account on the first business day of the month from September to June.

If you paid by direct debit last year you will be automatically re-registered using the same account.

If your bank account details have changed or if you would like to set up direct debit payments please complete a new direct debit form available at: kingston.vic.gov.au/ratesdirectdebit

Please note: Your first payment will include any outstanding arrears rates from previous years.

4 EASY INSTALMENTS

INSTALMENT 1

30SEP

First instalment due 30 September 2021*

INSTALMENT 2

30NOV

Second instalment due 30 November 2021

INSTALMENT 3

28FEB

Third instalment due 28 February 2022

INSTALMENT 4

31MAY

Final instalment due 31 May 2022

4X

10X

SINGLE FULL PAYMENT

FULL AMOUNT

15FEB

To pay your rates in full please make payment by 15 February 2022.

1X

* Please note: if you don’t pay your first instalment by 30 September, you automatically opt into a Single Full Payment method, and won’t receive further instalment notifications.

DIRECT-DEBIT INSTALMENTS

4 EASY INSTALMENTS

HOW CAN I PAY MY RATES?Council offers a range of flexible options to pay your rates:

ONLINE kingston.vic.gov.au/pay

BPAY Contact your bank or financial institution to make this payment.

BPOINT bpoint.com.au – Visa & MasterCard only

AUSTRALIA POST BILLPAY kingston.vic.gov.au/payrates click on Post Billpay

PHONE BPOINT 1300 276 468 – Visa & MasterCard only POSTbillpay 13 18 16

IN PERSON At any Post shop or Kingston's Cheltenham Customer Service centre, by cash, cheque or money order (payable to City of Kingston) or debit/credit card. Cards accepted: Visa, MasterCard, Amex. Please note: Chelsea Customer Service centre – no cash payments, however cards/cheques/money order are accepted. Please call 1300 653 356 to check opening hours due to COVID-19 restrictions if paying at a Kingston Customer Service Centre.

MAIL Detach payment slip, attach cheque (payable to City of Kingston) and mail to CITY OF KINGSTON PRIVATE BAG 5555 MOORABBIN BUSINESS CENTRE MOORABBIN VIC 3189

If you would like to change the mailing address for your rates notice we must receive this in writing via email:

info@kingston.vic.gov.au or mail: kingston.vic.gov.au/Contact-Us/Update-Your-Details

PAYMENT OPTIONS

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Any questions or difficulty paying your rates?CONTACT USIf you have any questions about your rates notice, or are experiencing financial hardship please contact us to discuss payment options and/or application under hardship provisions:

1300 653 356 or % info@kingston.vic.gov.au

For more information go to kingston.vic.gov.au cityofkingston

Payyour rates online! kingston.vic.gov.au/pay

Get your rates delivered to your inbox% QUICK % EASY % SECURE

Register today!1. Go to kingston.vic.gov.au/rates and click the link

2. Using your unique eNotice reference number, register your details and the next rates notice will be conveniently delivered to your nominated email address.

Are your contact details up-to-date?

Update online now!