Adoption of fees and charges for 2023/24 financial year

A reduction in dog release fees for pensioners and first-time impoundments, along with modifications to commercial waste disposal charges, are among changes to Council fees and charges adopted ahead of the tabling of the 2023/24 budget.

While Council's main revenue source is from rates and utility charges, fees and charges are significant, accounting for approximately $28 million or 7% of total operating revenue.

Council has endorsed applying no standard increase to the fees and charges for the 2023/24 financial year, with the exception of some specific items.

Exceptions include:

• Two new dog release fees to be introduced: a reduced fee of $58 for pensioners and first impoundments, and $28 for registered dogs. The current dog release fee is $115
• Under state legislation Regulated Dogs are now required to wear an identifying collar. These can now be purchased for $55 and will be included in the full registration fee for Regulated Dogs, which has increased from $511 to $566
• Development Assessment changes include:
  • New fees ($500 each):
    • Approval of Plan of Subdivision for Grant of Easements and Lease Lots
    • Additional inspection or re-inspection of works associated with hold point inspections.
  • Fee increases include:
    • Boundary realignment from $1,250 to $1,500
    • Generally, in accordance with approved plans (amended drawings assessment) assessment from $250 to $500.
  • Fee decreases include:
    • ExpressDA – the Development Application fee is entitled to a 20% discount off the nominated fee as per the fees and charges schedule if qualified.
    • Request for Council to provide a response as an Affected Entity for a Change Application from $1,000 to $500
• A new licences and approvals inspection fee for outside work hours, $375 per inspection.
• Introduction of half day rates for commercial and private hire of Tank 3 and Tank 5 at the Tanks Arts Centre. The new rates are $2,028.60 and $2,535.80, respectively
• An increase to the Tanks Market stalls fees from 1 January 2024 as follow:
  • 3m x 3m sites annual fee from $360 to $390, casual fee from $55 to $60 per day and Carnival on Collins from $75 to $80
  • 6m x 3m sites annual fee from $720 to $780, casual fee from $110 to $120 per day and Carnival on Collins from $150 to $160.

• Introduction of a mattress disposal fee at transfer stations of $25 per mattress, and a maximum limit of two per visit
• Council has also removed volume-based charges for the disposal of commercial green waste, commercial mixed waste, and commercial clean concrete at the Portsmith and Smithfield transfer stations from 1 October and replaces with the following charges:
  • Commercial Green Waste: $71 per tonne
  • Commercial Mixed Waste: $235 per tonne
  • Commercial Clean Concrete: $50 per tonne

Several other small administrative changes were also made to Council's fees and charges.