The City acknowledges the ongoing cost of living pressures being experienced by many households and businesses within the community. In balancing these impacts with increasing operational and service delivery costs, a rate revenue increase of 5% for improved land and 8% for unimproved land has been recommended.

The community’s rates contribute to the delivery and maintenance of a broad range of services, programs and capital works projects, including:

• Roads, drainage, streetscapes, footpaths and other infrastructure
• Environment, parks, playgrounds, reserves and associated facilities
• Waste collection and recycling services
• LeisureFit centres, Healthy Melville initiatives and leisure planning
• Neighbourhood development, libraries, museums, culture and community events.

The City is required under the Local Government Act 1995 (WA) to publicly advertise its intention to levy differential rates and invite submissions from ratepayers and electors before Council makes a final decision. This process supports transparency and provides the community with an opportunity to review the proposal and make a formal submission.

We are inviting feedback from City of Melville ratepayers and electors on the Notice of Intention to Levy Differential Rates. Submissions should relate to the proposal being advertised, including:

• The objectives and reasons for applying differential rates
• The proposed rating categories (e.g. residential, commercial/industrial and vacant land)
• The impact of the proposed rates on you or your property
• Any support for, or concerns about, the proposal.

The final decision on the proposed is made by the City of Melville Council. Council considers all submissions received during the public advertising period, alongside officer advice and legislative requirements under the Local Government Act 1995 (WA), before determining whether to adopt the proposed differential rates.

Under the Local Government Act 1995 (WA), submissions can only be made by ratepayers or electors of the district.

• A ratepayer is a person or entity listed as the owner of a rateable property within the City.
  An elector is a person enrolled to vote in local government elections for the district.

Submissions received from individuals or organisations who are not ratepayers or electors cannot be formally considered as part of the statutory process.

Public comment period is a structured process that allows individuals to submit their opinions and feedback on proposals to the City of Melville. This process requires submitters to provide personal details to verify their identity, and confirm that they are ratepayers within the City.

Key points about the public comment period:

1. Invitation to participate: The community and stakeholders are invited to provide their input on various proposals.
2. Submission consideration: All received submissions are reviewed and considered as part of the assessment process. However, these submissions do not obligate the City or Council to follow the suggestions or opinions provided.
3. Anonymity and public reporting: When the City compiles and reports on the submissions, personal details such as names, addresses, and other identifiable information are removed unless the submitter has expressly agreed to share this information.

This process ensures the community's voice is heard while maintaining the privacy and authenticity of each submission.

We take your privacy seriously. Any personal information you provide will be managed in accordance with the Privacy and Responsible Information Sharing Act 2024 (PRIS Act) and the City's Privacy Policy.

Your information will only be used for the purpose for which it was collected, such as administering an engagement activity, analysing community feedback or providing project updates. Personal information is only accessed by authorised City officers and, where necessary, consultants engaged by the City to support a project.

Feedback and engagement findings may be reported publicly; however, individual participants will not be identified unless required by law or with their consent.

For full information about how we handle your personal information, visit the below webpage.

City of Melville Privacy

Yes, submissions could be completed on their behalf, provided consent was given.

Alternative ways to participate are always available through online, by phone, or in person, and the City of Melville can assist if required.

You can stay in the loop by following the project page for updates straight to your inbox. Simply visit the page and click the ‘Follow Engagement’ button at the top.

Want VIP treatment on other projects? Join the Melville Sounding Board to get updates on projects that matter most to you.

The City advertises differential rates engagement in accordance with the public notice requirements under the Local Government Act 1995 and the Local Government (Administration) Regulations 1996

Current legislation requires local governments to publish notices on the City’s official website and use at least three additional communication methods to help ensure the community is informed. These may include newspaper advertisements, eNewsletters, social media, direct email, noticeboards at City facilities and other approved communication channels.

For this engagement, the City has gone beyond the minimum legislative requirements by using a broad range of communication channels to help maximise community awareness and participation.

This includes:

• A dedicated engagement webpage with project information, supporting documents and FAQs
• Direct email communication to a community random sample and the Melville Sounding Board Community
• Multiple eNewsletter inclusions, including the Melville Matters and Melville Talks eNews publications
• Newspaper advertising
• Local and statewide public notices published on the City’s website
• Public notice boards at the City’s Civic Centre and Library
• Social media communications.

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Land is generally grouped by how it is used (residential or commercial) and whether it has been developed (improved or unimproved).

Residential Improved Land

Land used for people to live on.

Examples include:

• Houses
• Units and apartments
• Townhouses
• Duplex

Residential Unimproved Land

Land that has little or no development.

Examples include:

• Vacant land
• Undeveloped lots

Commercial /Industrial Improved Land

Land used for businesses or commercial activities.

Examples include:

• Shops
• Offices
• Restaurants and cafés
• Warehouses

Commercial /Industrial Unimproved Land

Land that has little or no development.

Examples include:

• Vacant land
• Undeveloped lots

Gross Rental Value (GRV) is the estimated annual rental value of your property, essentially what your property could reasonably be rented for over a year.

GRV is independently determined by the Valuer-General of Western Australia, not the local government authority (council)

Local governments are required to use the GRV, together with the rate in the dollar set by Council, to calculate the amount of rates payable for most residential and commercial properties.

The GRV is reviewed every three years, with the 2026-2027 financial year being the next review period.

Local governments in Western Australia receive updated property valuations from Landgate on a regular cycle. A GRV year occurs when new Gross Rental Values are issued by the Valuer-General of Western Australia.

These updated valuations reflect changes in the rental market and ensure property values used to calculate rates remain current and equitable.

What this means for you:

• Your property’s GRV may increase or decrease based on market conditions
• The City uses the updated GRV to calculate rates for the new financial year

Changes in GRV do not automatically mean your rates will increase by the same percentage, as the rate in the dollar is also adjusted by Council.

Yes, you can lodge an objection to your GRV with the Valuer-General of Western Australia within the required timeframe. The City does not set or amend GRVs. Lodging an objection does not defer payment of your rates. If your objection is upheld, your rates will be adjusted accordingly.