Rating Review - Rebalancing our Rating System

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Council is reviewing the basis of its rating structure and has developed a proposal that rebalances the distribution of rates.

The community is invited to learn how Council's rating system works today, understand the factors that influence rating decisions and share views on the proposal. Feedback will help Council identify what’s working and consider whether adjustments are needed to meet community expectations and better support equity and long-term financial sustainability.

The focus of the Rating Review is on how rates are distributed, not how much revenue Council raises or what services are delivered.

The review considers:

  • Rating distribution and trends in property value across the District;

  • Land use and ownership patterns;

  • Capacity to pay across different property types; and

  • The District’s socio-economic diversity, business diversity and community values.

To learn more, read A Review of the Basis of Rating Consultation Paper - Part A online here - you'll find it in the Resource Library - or in-person at Council's Main Office or the Yankalilla Library.


Why a review is being undertaken

The last comprehensive review of Council’s rating structure was completed in 2016. Since then, the District has experienced significant change, including:

  • Growth in property valuations;

  • Shifts in land use, with more mixed-use and non-primary production ownership of rural land;

  • Evolving community needs and expectations; and

  • Perceptions of inequity, especially between town and rural properties.

This review provides an opportunity to:

  • Distribute rates equitably across property types;

  • Align rating practices with community values and capacity to pay;

  • Consider adjustments that enhance sustainability and fairness; and

  • Strengthen transparency and understanding of how rating decisions are made.


Phased engagement program

We’re currently in Phase 1 of community engagement. This phase is all about starting the conversation, raising awareness about the project and helping everyone understand how the rating system works and how rates are calculated.

Phase 2 will come next and that’s when you’ll have the opportunity to inform Council’s decision-making. For now, we’re focused on opening up discussion, sharing information and making sure everyone has the chance to learn more before we move into the detailed decision phase.


Here's how you can participate in Phase 1:

  • Register to follow the project - We'll keep the conversation going with weekly updates throughout the engagement period (with a short pause over Christmas–New Year).
  • Ask a question or leave a comment here on Your Say Yankalilla
  • Join the Information Drop-In Session at the Yankalilla Library, WED, 17 December 3pm - 6:30pm
  • Email us participate@yankalilla.sa.gov.au
  • Prefer a conversation? Contact Council staff on (08) 8558 0200 to arrange a time to discuss.


In Phase 2 there will be further opportunities to get involved:

  • Come along to the Community Workshop at the Myponga Hall, MON, 19 January 3pm - 6:30pm
  • Provide feedback at the Pop-Up Engagement Stand, Australia Day celebrations at Memorial Park, Yankalilla, MON 26 January 8am - 11am.
  • Provide a verbal submission at the Public Meeting, held in conjunction with the Council Meeting, TUES, 17 February 6pm - 7pm.

Council is reviewing the basis of its rating structure and has developed a proposal that rebalances the distribution of rates.

The community is invited to learn how Council's rating system works today, understand the factors that influence rating decisions and share views on the proposal. Feedback will help Council identify what’s working and consider whether adjustments are needed to meet community expectations and better support equity and long-term financial sustainability.

The focus of the Rating Review is on how rates are distributed, not how much revenue Council raises or what services are delivered.

The review considers:

  • Rating distribution and trends in property value across the District;

  • Land use and ownership patterns;

  • Capacity to pay across different property types; and

  • The District’s socio-economic diversity, business diversity and community values.

To learn more, read A Review of the Basis of Rating Consultation Paper - Part A online here - you'll find it in the Resource Library - or in-person at Council's Main Office or the Yankalilla Library.


Why a review is being undertaken

The last comprehensive review of Council’s rating structure was completed in 2016. Since then, the District has experienced significant change, including:

  • Growth in property valuations;

  • Shifts in land use, with more mixed-use and non-primary production ownership of rural land;

  • Evolving community needs and expectations; and

  • Perceptions of inequity, especially between town and rural properties.

This review provides an opportunity to:

  • Distribute rates equitably across property types;

  • Align rating practices with community values and capacity to pay;

  • Consider adjustments that enhance sustainability and fairness; and

  • Strengthen transparency and understanding of how rating decisions are made.


Phased engagement program

We’re currently in Phase 1 of community engagement. This phase is all about starting the conversation, raising awareness about the project and helping everyone understand how the rating system works and how rates are calculated.

Phase 2 will come next and that’s when you’ll have the opportunity to inform Council’s decision-making. For now, we’re focused on opening up discussion, sharing information and making sure everyone has the chance to learn more before we move into the detailed decision phase.


Here's how you can participate in Phase 1:

  • Register to follow the project - We'll keep the conversation going with weekly updates throughout the engagement period (with a short pause over Christmas–New Year).
  • Ask a question or leave a comment here on Your Say Yankalilla
  • Join the Information Drop-In Session at the Yankalilla Library, WED, 17 December 3pm - 6:30pm
  • Email us participate@yankalilla.sa.gov.au
  • Prefer a conversation? Contact Council staff on (08) 8558 0200 to arrange a time to discuss.


In Phase 2 there will be further opportunities to get involved:

  • Come along to the Community Workshop at the Myponga Hall, MON, 19 January 3pm - 6:30pm
  • Provide feedback at the Pop-Up Engagement Stand, Australia Day celebrations at Memorial Park, Yankalilla, MON 26 January 8am - 11am.
  • Provide a verbal submission at the Public Meeting, held in conjunction with the Council Meeting, TUES, 17 February 6pm - 7pm.

Ask a question

Ask your questions here and we'll post the response so that everyone can read it.

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  • Share Considering the change from a minimum rate to a fixed charge, the first reason listed is, effectively, because two thirds of country SA councils do it. The second reason listed is that Primary Production properties have higher rates than neighbouring councils, yet neighbouring councils have lower Differential RID for Primary Production properties. Why opt for Fixed Charge to help reduce rates for higher valued properties in this category rather than a lower Differential RID? on Facebook Share Considering the change from a minimum rate to a fixed charge, the first reason listed is, effectively, because two thirds of country SA councils do it. The second reason listed is that Primary Production properties have higher rates than neighbouring councils, yet neighbouring councils have lower Differential RID for Primary Production properties. Why opt for Fixed Charge to help reduce rates for higher valued properties in this category rather than a lower Differential RID? on Twitter Share Considering the change from a minimum rate to a fixed charge, the first reason listed is, effectively, because two thirds of country SA councils do it. The second reason listed is that Primary Production properties have higher rates than neighbouring councils, yet neighbouring councils have lower Differential RID for Primary Production properties. Why opt for Fixed Charge to help reduce rates for higher valued properties in this category rather than a lower Differential RID? on Linkedin Email Considering the change from a minimum rate to a fixed charge, the first reason listed is, effectively, because two thirds of country SA councils do it. The second reason listed is that Primary Production properties have higher rates than neighbouring councils, yet neighbouring councils have lower Differential RID for Primary Production properties. Why opt for Fixed Charge to help reduce rates for higher valued properties in this category rather than a lower Differential RID? link

    Considering the change from a minimum rate to a fixed charge, the first reason listed is, effectively, because two thirds of country SA councils do it. The second reason listed is that Primary Production properties have higher rates than neighbouring councils, yet neighbouring councils have lower Differential RID for Primary Production properties. Why opt for Fixed Charge to help reduce rates for higher valued properties in this category rather than a lower Differential RID?

    mjfitz asked 3 days ago

    Great question and we appreciate you digging into the reasoning behind the Fixed Charge vs Minimum Rate. We’ve passed this to our Finance Team so they can further explain.

  • Share Will a 50% rate reduction for retirees ever be considered? on Facebook Share Will a 50% rate reduction for retirees ever be considered? on Twitter Share Will a 50% rate reduction for retirees ever be considered? on Linkedin Email Will a 50% rate reduction for retirees ever be considered? link

    Will a 50% rate reduction for retirees ever be considered?

    DaveP asked 7 days ago
    We appreciate you raising this and understand why retirees might feel strongly about rate affordability - it helps us understand community perspectives and priorities as we work through the review. 

    While a 50% reduction for retirees isn’t currently proposed, the purpose of this engagement is to hear your suggestions and we’ll make sure it’s captured in the engagement results. Any potential change would need to be considered in terms of fairness across the whole community and Council’s long-term financial sustainability.

  • Share Why has nothing been considered for community/torrens title differences? You talk about fairness, yet no action has been taken on any difference between community title and Torrens title differences. Community title have to pay their own local roads, utility infrastructure costs, and maintain their own parks, gardens and footpaths, while they continue to be charged the same as standard residential on Facebook Share Why has nothing been considered for community/torrens title differences? You talk about fairness, yet no action has been taken on any difference between community title and Torrens title differences. Community title have to pay their own local roads, utility infrastructure costs, and maintain their own parks, gardens and footpaths, while they continue to be charged the same as standard residential on Twitter Share Why has nothing been considered for community/torrens title differences? You talk about fairness, yet no action has been taken on any difference between community title and Torrens title differences. Community title have to pay their own local roads, utility infrastructure costs, and maintain their own parks, gardens and footpaths, while they continue to be charged the same as standard residential on Linkedin Email Why has nothing been considered for community/torrens title differences? You talk about fairness, yet no action has been taken on any difference between community title and Torrens title differences. Community title have to pay their own local roads, utility infrastructure costs, and maintain their own parks, gardens and footpaths, while they continue to be charged the same as standard residential link

    Why has nothing been considered for community/torrens title differences? You talk about fairness, yet no action has been taken on any difference between community title and Torrens title differences. Community title have to pay their own local roads, utility infrastructure costs, and maintain their own parks, gardens and footpaths, while they continue to be charged the same as standard residential

    MichaelS2020 asked 6 days ago
    Thanks for raising this, it’s a good topic to discuss together and we appreciate you bringing it into the conversation. The difference between property types - and how costs and responsibilities vary between them - is an important part of understanding perceptions of fairness within the rating system.

    We’ve passed this one to the project team and will get back to you soon.

  • Share Will pensioners be considered and have reduced rates? Rates now are being paid by the skin of my teeth, I'm not alone. If they go up those on a pension may no longer be able to pay. With the current cost of living, a housing shortage and rent so high the fears are only multiplying. on Facebook Share Will pensioners be considered and have reduced rates? Rates now are being paid by the skin of my teeth, I'm not alone. If they go up those on a pension may no longer be able to pay. With the current cost of living, a housing shortage and rent so high the fears are only multiplying. on Twitter Share Will pensioners be considered and have reduced rates? Rates now are being paid by the skin of my teeth, I'm not alone. If they go up those on a pension may no longer be able to pay. With the current cost of living, a housing shortage and rent so high the fears are only multiplying. on Linkedin Email Will pensioners be considered and have reduced rates? Rates now are being paid by the skin of my teeth, I'm not alone. If they go up those on a pension may no longer be able to pay. With the current cost of living, a housing shortage and rent so high the fears are only multiplying. link

    Will pensioners be considered and have reduced rates? Rates now are being paid by the skin of my teeth, I'm not alone. If they go up those on a pension may no longer be able to pay. With the current cost of living, a housing shortage and rent so high the fears are only multiplying.

    Scared asked 7 days ago

    We appreciate you taking the time to voice this - it’s important for us to understand how real these pressures are for pensioners and others on fixed incomes, especially with cost-of-living increases and housing affordability challenges. We’ve passed your question to the project team for a more comprehensive answer.

  • Share I am asking this again as I think the first attempt I did something incorrectly. - Could we have more information on the proposal that has been developed that " rebalances the distribution of rates" ? - how would a ratepayers " capacity to pay " be determined for this review? on Facebook Share I am asking this again as I think the first attempt I did something incorrectly. - Could we have more information on the proposal that has been developed that " rebalances the distribution of rates" ? - how would a ratepayers " capacity to pay " be determined for this review? on Twitter Share I am asking this again as I think the first attempt I did something incorrectly. - Could we have more information on the proposal that has been developed that " rebalances the distribution of rates" ? - how would a ratepayers " capacity to pay " be determined for this review? on Linkedin Email I am asking this again as I think the first attempt I did something incorrectly. - Could we have more information on the proposal that has been developed that " rebalances the distribution of rates" ? - how would a ratepayers " capacity to pay " be determined for this review? link

    I am asking this again as I think the first attempt I did something incorrectly. - Could we have more information on the proposal that has been developed that " rebalances the distribution of rates" ? - how would a ratepayers " capacity to pay " be determined for this review?

    Lmfelix asked 6 days ago

    Thanks for following up, sometimes questions don’t appear straight away due to moderation, so we appreciate you asking again.

    To help with your query, the detailed proposal - Review of the Basis of Rating Consultation Paper – Part A, prepared by UHY Haines Norton - is available to read and download here on the project site. 

    We’ve passed your specific question regarding 'capacity to pay' to our finance and rating experts so we can provide a clear, accurate response shortly.

Page last updated: 02 Dec 2025, 01:24 PM