Concessions & Charges
Rate Subsidies
Pensioner Rate Subsidy
Council allows a Pensioner Rate Rebate for Pensioners who qualify under the State Government guidelines. Applicants approved for the Government Subsidy also receive the Council subsidy.
For further information contact Council's Customer Service Centre on 07 4913 5000 or 1300 790 919.
Pensioners who have already lodged an application will, under normal circumstances, not be required to apply again in the future years.
Not-For-Profit Community Organisations
Rate remissions are available to approved organisations whose objectives do not include the making of profit and who provide services to their membership and the community at large. Eligibility for a remission will be assessed by Council on an annual basis prior to the issue of the first rate notice each financial year (generally June/July). Organisations are not automatically provided with a remission. Rates, Rebates and Remissions Policy
Nature Refuge Agreements
Rate remissions are available to ratepayers who enter into an agreement with the Queensland Department of Environment and Science to preserve areas within their holdings as areas of conservation significance. Applications can be made at any time and approved properties will receive the rebate from the next rates notice.
Rates, Levies and Charges
Differential General Rates
Council calculates and levies rates and charges utilising the rateable value of the land. This valuation is set by the Department of Natural Resources each year. The general rate charged on each parcel of land may be determined by dividing the total income needed from general rates by the rateable valuation of lands. However, there is considerable diversity in the Shire in terms of land use and location (such as between the urban and rural areas), land values, access to, and actual and potential demands for services and facilities. For a comprehensive list of the general rating categories, please refer to the Revenue Statement.
Government Emergency Management Levy
A compulsory charge collected by Council on behalf of the State Government under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 to fund emergency services to help support and rebuild communities devastated by emergencies such as floods, cyclones, fires and accidents. More than one levy may appear on a rates notice that is for multiple lots. The levy applies to each individual lot except where lots are used as bona-fide primary producing land. In this case only one levy will be applied.
Where a property owner disagrees with the charge included on the rate notice (whether that be due to the amount or the Levy Category the property is assigned to), they have the right to appeal to the Commissioner of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service.
Prior to an appeal being lodged with the Commissioner of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service, the property owner is required to contact the local Council and have them consider the circumstances of the case that the property owner advises and correct any identified error.
Please note that an appeal must be lodged to the Commissioner of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service within thirty days from the date of issue of the rate notice. For more information about Queensland Fire and Emergency Service and the Emergency Management Levy visit the website.
As at 1 July 2021, some properties within Livingstone Shire has changed from a Class C levy to a Class B levy due to an increase in fire officers and upgrade to a 7 days a week, day-work station at Yeppoon Fire and Rescue Station. The EML Class change is required to ensure an equitable levy contribution is made by all landowners receiving the benefit of those fire and emergency services. To find out if your property is included and what it means for you, visit the Queensland Government website.
Waste Disposal Levy
A levy on waste going to landfill began on 1 July 2019. This is part of a new waste strategy for Queensland - creating a future where waste is avoided, reused and recycled to the greatest possible extent.
The levy will encourage business and industry to reduce, reuse and recycle more, only sending waste that cannot be recovered to landfill. For more information on the Waste Disposal Levy visit here.