Rates
Council rates contribute to funding essential services like libraries, community centres, road and pathway upkeep, beach and park maintenance, waste collection, recycling, environmental projects and other community activities.
Rate notices are issued twice a year.
Why do you pay rates?
Rates information
Sale of land for unpaid rates
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve changed my postal or email address?
Rate notices are sent to ratepayers' current postal address as recorded at time of issue. Registered owners must notify council each time their postal address changes to ensure records are up to date.
You can notify council of your change in address online at Online Services (Lodge My Request), by emailing council@mackay.qld.gov.au or by calling 1300 MACKAY (622529).
Registered for eNotices?
If you are registered for eNotices, you will need to update your email address through the eNotices portal. From your eNotices dashboard, click ‘update contact details’. Updating your email through eNotices does not update your email with Mackay Regional Council, nor does updating your email through council update your email in eNotices.
When should I receive my rate notice?
Rate notices are issued twice a year, in February for billing period 1 January to 30 June and in August for billing period 1 July to 31 December each year.
Rate notices are sent to the ratepayers' current postal address as recorded at time of issue. Registered owners must notify Council each time their postal address changes to ensure records are up to date.
If you are registered to receive your notice via electronically, you will receive the notice on the date that it is issued. This service includes eNotices and BPayview.
Ratepayers should contact council on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) if they do not receive a notice at the expected times or need to update their postal address.
Can I receive my rate notice by email?
Yes. eNotices are an easy and convenient to receive your rate notices (as well as water usage notices and animal notices) direct to your inbox. Simply register to receive your notices via email. You can then download, save, print or just leave the notices in your inbox to access and pay on the go.
Find out more
If I pay by direct debit or prepay, do I still receive a copy of my rate notice and dump vouchers?
Yes, you will still receive your rate notices via the post or by email if you have registered for eNotices.
Pre-payment ensures that payment of your rates is made much easier by not being burdened with a lump sum payment.
You will be able to pay by the due date and take full advantage of prompt payment discount.
All payments received prior to the rate notice will appear on the notice as a balance brought forward and will be deducted off the total rates for that period.
You can set up or make regular payments towards your rates via any of council's preferred payment options.
How do land valuations affect my rates?
Council’s rates are determined by many factors, of which land valuations form a part of. It is a common misconception that if your land valuation goes up, your rates will go up by the same amount.
The extent that rates may increase or decrease is not directly reflective of the percentage increase of the land valuation. Land valuation is just one factor considered to determine your rates.
Find out more
When will I receive a Rate Notice for newly purchased land or a subdivided property?
If you buy land from a developer or a newly subdivided property, council will issue a supplementary rate notice once the property details and valuation are received from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development (NRMMRRD). This notice covers any new charges that apply, calculated on a pro-rata basis from the date the valuation or service takes effect.
Supplementary notices are usually sent by the end of the next rating period after council receives the information. For example, if the valuation is received between January to June, the supplementary rates notice will be processed by December of that same year. As the timing is dependent on when council receives the valuation and the date of effect that is set by NRMMRRD, you may want to set aside funds or start payments early to cover the upcoming notice.
It is recommended that this is discussed with your conveyancer at the time of settlement.
Common reasons for a supplementary notice include:
- Purchase of land from a new subdivision
- Connection to water or sewerage services
- Changes to garbage services
- Amalgamation or resurvey of land
What should I do if I’m having difficulty paying my rates?
If you are experiencing financial difficulties and cannot pay the rate notice by the due date, please contact our Customer Service Centre on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) to discuss payment options to avoid recovery action and associated costs.
An arrangement to pay can also be created securely online with council’s online services. Select “View my Rates Account” and follow the prompts - you will need to be registered for online services.
What happens if I don’t pay my rates?
If your rates are not paid in full or you do not enter into a payment arrangement with council, you may become subject to recovery action (and associated charges) and incur interest on the outstanding amount as per our Debt Recovery Policy.(PDF, 341KB)
If you are experiencing financial difficulties and cannot pay the rate notice by the due date, please contact our Customer Service Centre on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) to discuss payment options to avoid recovery action and associated costs.
What if I need someone to contact council in regard to my rates/water account?
Council can only give information to the person/s registered as owner/s of the property. If you need someone to contact council on your behalf, council requires a Third-Party Authority form to be completed.
When completing this form, you can choose to have someone enquire only, act on your behalf or give access to your myh2o account.
A secret question, chosen by you, is required to be answered by the person whom you are giving authority to when they contact council.