Murray Bridge homeowners may face $204 property rates increase

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Thousands of homeowners may end up being charged hundreds of dollars extra per year under a plan being considered by the Murray Bridge council.

Locals are being invited to provide feedback as the council considers changing the way it works out people’s property rates bills.

If the change went ahead, an average homeowner would have to pay an extra $204 per year from July 1.

That would leave most households – almost 7900 of them – worse off.

On the flip side, most business owners, many farmers and the owners of the most valuable houses would get lower property rates.

The owner of one industrial property would save more than $410,000 per year, and the owner of the most valuable house in the district, whoever that might be, would save $5196.

The council would not be any better or worse off – this is just about how the property rates burden should be shared.

Want to have your say?

A period of public consultation on the proposal started last Wednesday and will end on March 25.

Locals are invited to fill in a survey at letstalk.murraybridge.sa.gov.au, or to attend one of three upcoming meetings at the Murray Bridge council office:

• Drop-in information session, 2-5pm on March 11
• Drop-in information session, 9am-12pm on March 18
• Council meeting, 7pm on March 24

Staff are also offering after-hours sessions by appointment from March 11-24.

Mayor Wayne Thorley encouraged everyone to come along to an information session, learn about what the change might mean for them, and have their say.

“This is a comprehensive process that requires careful consideration to ensure fairness and sustainability for all ratepayers,” he said.

“We strongly encourage community members to have their say, ask questions and provide feedback on the proposed changes.

“Their input is invaluable in shaping the future of our rating system.”

Only 16 people gave feedback during a previous round of public consultation, and a majority were in favour of making the change.

If you’re against it, you’ll need to have your say to make sure your voice is heard – scroll down to find out how.

Hang on – what are we talking about changing?

We apologise, but there will be maths involved here.

At the moment, if you own a home, your annual property rates bill is calculated like this:

• Rates bill = Your property value ($) x 0.005246
• BUT everyone must pay at least $1151
• Owners of vacant, commercial or industrial land pay extra

The council is thinking about changing that calculation to this:

• Rates bill = Your property value ($) x 0.003979, PLUS a fixed charge of $750
• Owners of vacant, commercial or industrial land still pay extra, but not as much

Yes, the rate in the dollar – that long number starting with 0.00 – would go down under the new model.

But for most homeowners, the $750 charge would more than make up the difference, and those with below-average property values would end up worse off.

Try this calculator by Murray Bridge News to see how the change might affect you.

Now, to make things a bit more confusing: the exact rate in the dollar the council will charge in 2025-26 – that number starting with 0.00 – has not yet been set.

It could be a little bit higher or lower than the current projection, and would keep changing from year to year.

You might like to head along to an information session, see what the proposed change might mean for you, and make sure you give the council your two cents before March 25.

• More information: Visit letstalk.murraybridge.sa.gov.au/proposed-changes-to-council-rating-system; attend a drop-in session at the Murray Bridge council office from 2-5pm next Tuesday or 9am-12pm on March 28; book an after-hours session by calling 8539 1100 or emailing council@murraybridge.sa.gov.au; or attend the council meeting at 7pm on March 24.
• Have your say: Fill in the council’s survey at letstalk.murraybridge.sa.gov.au, or anonymously at letstalk.murraybridge.sa.gov.au, or email feedback to council@murraybridge.sa.gov.au, by March 25.

Clarification: This story has been updated to include the fact that the council would not be any better or worse off if the policy were changed.