Livestock Health and Pest Authority rates - Frequently asked questions
Why am I being charged rates by the local Livestock Health and Pest Authority?
The Rural Lands Protection Act 1998 requires your local Livestock Health and Pest Authority to charge rates on all parcels of land deemed to be rateable under the Act. Each authority’s district has a minimum rating area for properties. These areas are generally 10 hectares on the coast and tablelands, and are larger in more western districts of the state.
What are the rates for?
The rates are the primary source of income for the authority. They are used to finance the authority’s services to the rural community. These services include activities related to the control of declared pest animals and insects, the provision of animal health services, the management of travelling stock reserves, the administration of stock identification systems and locally administering drought and other natural disaster relief.
Our animal health service plays a vital role in safeguarding access to both domestic and international markets. This role, in which authorities work collaboratively to deliver state and federal programs, has flow-on effects for rural communities in which people choose to live.
How are the rates calculated?
Rates are charged on a two-tier basis, involving a general rate (base charge) paid by all landholders and a supplementary animal health rate.
The base charge is similar to a 'flag fall' in a taxi. It is a uniform charge on all rateable land.
General rate = base charge + cents per stock unit (based on notional carrying capacity)
Animal health rate = base charge + cents per stock unit (based on notional carrying capacity and if you indicated on your land and stock return that you had at least 50 stock units on your property as at 30 June in the previous year. It is also payable if the annual return is not lodged by the due date).
The base charge for general and animal health rates depends on which district you are in. Charges are determined by each local authority.
Rates are approved each year by the Minister for Primary Industries.
What is the general rate?
The general rate is payable on all rateable land. It has a base charge and an amount payable on the notional carrying capacity of the land (see ‘How are the rates calculated?’). Income from the general rate is spent on pest animal control activities, general administration and the management of travelling stock reserves. Declared pests are rabbits, feral pigs, wild dogs and three species of locust. Authorities also assist landholders in the control of nuisance species such as foxes.
What is the animal health rate?
The animal health rate is payable if you indicated on the annual land and stock return form that you had at least 50 stock units (sheep equivalents) on your property as at 30 June in the previous year. It is also payable if the annual return is not lodged by the due date. This rate is comprised of a base charge and an amount payable on the notional carrying capacity of the land.
Income from this rate is expended by the authority on animal health services. The local administration of the Stock Diseases Act 1923 and related legislation is a key component of such work.
Does everyone have to pay general rates?
All landholders on parcels of land deemed to be rateable under the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998 are required to pay general rates. Each authority’s district has a minimum rating area for properties. These areas are generally 10 hectares on the coast and tablelands, and are larger in more western districts of the state.
How do I pay my rates?
There are a number of methods by which you can pay your rates.
- Via BPAY – telephone and internet banking
- By phone - Call 1300 121 968 and pay by Mastercard or Visa
- By mail – cheque payment sent to address contained on the remittance advice section of the rate notice
- In person – at a local Livestock Health and Pest Authority office.
What is the minimum rateable area?
The minimum rateable area under the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998 is 10 hectares. Authorities may choose to determine a higher minimum rateable area.
The recommendation that the minimum rateable area be set at 10ha was contained in the 2007 Bull report, which was adopted by the NSW Government.
Why are rates different across the state?
Under legislation, the 14 Livestock Health and Pest Authorities determine the rates for their district. In setting their rates, each authority takes into account local needs and considerations, for example, areas with higher pest animal or livestock disease prevalence require higher resourcing to assist landholders with their management of these issues.
Why are some rates different within the one authority?
The Livestock Health and Pest Authorities are each made up of a number of former Rural Lands Protection Board districts, each of whom determined their own rates in the past. This has led to differences in the cents per stock unit charge.
This means that the amount you are charged on a cents per unit basis may vary depending on which former board district you were in. Some LHPAs have already moved to a consistent cents per stock unit amount while others are still working towards this. For information on how these changes relate to you, contact your local Livestock Health and Pest Authority.
What is a special purpose rate?
Sometimes an authority may charge another special purpose rate for specified purposes, for example, noxious weed management on TSRs or the pest insect destruction fund contribution (see About the pest insect special rate).
Does everyone have to pay animal health rates?
The animal health rate is payable if you indicated on the annual land and stock return form that you had at least 50 stock units (sheep equivalents) on your property as at 30 June in the previous year. It is also payable if you do not lodge your land and stock return by the due date.
How about the meat industry levy?
The meat industry levy is collected on behalf of the NSW Food Authority. It is payable by those who are required to pay the animal health rate (see above). Levy proceeds assist in financing the Food Authority’s activities regarding the handling, storage and sale of meat, abattoir inspections, etc.
What’s a notional carrying capacity and who works it out?
The carrying capacity is an estimate, worked out by the local authority, of the number of stock a property would notionally carry and is based on stock units per hectare.
What if I disagree with the notional carrying capacity or some other calculation on my rates notice?
You can lodge an appeal with your local authority. If you still disagree with the authority a further appeal may then be directed to the Local Land Board.
I’m not rural - the council has zoned my property residential. Do I still have to pay rates?
Local government zoning is not relevant to Livestock Health and Pest Authority districts.
If I pay rates, do I get baits and other things free?
Rates allow for the provision of services by the authority. Most merchandise (e.g. baits, stock signs) are charged on a cost recovery basis for ratepayers.
What is an annual land and stock return? Why is it so important?
Annual returns gather information about stock held on the land as at 30 June. They contain information essential for livestock disease control and surveillance. They take only a few minutes to complete but are invaluable in the event of a disease outbreak.
What happens if I don’t submit a land and stock return?
If you fail to submit a land and stock return by the due date of 31 August each year you will be charged an animal health rate. This rate is comprised of a base charge and an amount payable on the notional carrying capacity of the land.
What is the pest insect special purpose rate?
The pest insect destruction fund contribution is a special purpose rate charged on all rateable land for the control of declared pest insects. This rate is collected for Industry and Investment NSW to recoup its expenses in controlling such pests.
For more information on the pest insect special purpose rate see About the pest insect destruction fund.
How can I learn more about what Livestock Health and Pest Authorities do?
For more information on what Livestock Health and Pest Authorities do visit the home page of our web site www.lhpa.org.au or contact your local LHPA office.