Rates and Valuations

Rates are a property‑based tax that help Council provide and maintain essential services and facilities, including:

• Roads, drainage and footpaths
• Water, sewerage and waste services
• Parks, gardens and public spaces
• Community, sporting and recreation facilities
• Environmental planning, public health and environmental protection
• Waste collection, treatment and disposal

The rates you pay allow Council to deliver these services and meet its legislative responsibilities.

Council issues rate notices twice each year:

• February – covering the period 1 January to 30 June
• August – covering the period 1 July to 31 December

Supplementary rate notices may be issued if changes occur, such as:

• Property Legal Description are split or amalgamated
• A property changing from vacant land to a dwelling
• New or adjusted services (for example, waste collection (cleansing) fees

A supplementary rate notice may be issued when there is a change to your property's valuation or classification as a result of:

• Completion of a new home
• Subdivision of land
• Split transfer or amalgamation of land
• Change in how the land is used
• Building renovation, extension or demolition
• Addition of services such as waste collection (cleansing charges)

General rates are calculated using:

• The land valuation of your property
• The primary land use
• The rating category applied to the property

Land valuations and land use classifications are determined by the Queensland Valuer‑General, not Council.

Each property in the shire is allocated to one of Council’s differential rating categories, adopted as part of Council’s Annual Budget.

Rates are calculated by applying a rate in the dollar to the land valuation. A minimum general rate applies if the calculated amount is lower than the minimum set for that category.

A summary of rating categories is available in the revenue statement in the Polices and Local Laws section of our website.

If you believe your property has been placed in the wrong rating category, you may lodge an objection.

Objections can only be made on the grounds that your property should be in a different category.

A copy is also available to download below

Important: Rates and charges must still be paid by the due date while an objection is considered. If the objection is successful, Council will adjust the rates and notify you in writing.

The State Emergency Management, Fire and Rescue Levy is set by the Queensland Government and applies to all rateable properties in Queensland.

The levy helps fund emergency services and recognises that all Queenslanders face risks from emergencies such as floods, cyclones, storms, fires and accidents.

Council collects this levy on behalf of the State Government.

Rural Fire Brigades may request Council to apply a special charge each year to support the purchase and maintenance of firefighting equipment within their service areas.

• Brigades must hold a public meeting annually
• The levy amount is determined by the brigade for that year

Rural Fire Zoning Maps are available for download at the bottom of this page.

The Waste Management Levy applies to all rateable properties in the Hinchinbrook Shire.

This levy supports:

• Waste transfer stations
• Green waste processing
• Environmental licensing and compliance
• Waste management standards and controls

The Cleansing Utility Charge covers the cost of weekly kerbside waste collection.

Sewerage charges are applied on a unit basis and are priced to recover the full cost of providing the service, including:

• Construction
• Operation and maintenance
• Asset management and overheads

These charging principles apply to properties connected to:

• The Ingham Sewerage Scheme
• The Lucinda Sewerage Treatment Plant

Paying in advance

Rates can be paid at any time. Payments made in advance are held as a credit on your property and applied to future rate levies.

Direct debit

• To set up, amend or cancel a direct debit, complete the Direct Debit Application Form(PDF, 177KB).

Interest on overdue rates

Interest is charged on overdue rates in accordance with legislation:

• Applied after the due date shown on the rate notice
• Calculated daily using Council’s adopted annual interest rate

Details of the current interest rate are included in Council’s budget documents.

Land valuations are issued by the Queensland Valuer‑General and are used by Council as one of the factors in calculating rates.
Council does not determine property valuations.

2026 land valuations

On 11 March 2026, the Queensland Valuer‑General issued new land valuations for 15 local government areas, including Hinchinbrook Shire.

• Valuation date: 1 October 2025
• Effective from: 30 June 2026
• Valuations reflect changes in the property market since the previous valuation
• New valuations may affect future rate assessments

View the 2026 Hinchinbrook Shire land valuations:
https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/title/valuation/2026-valuations/hinchinbrook-shire-council

For valuation enquiries, contact the Queensland Government on 13 QGOV (13 74 68).