General Rates

Rates are Council’s main source of income and are used to deliver the services and facilities our community relies on every day — including parks and reserves, roads and footpaths, libraries, recreational facilities, and many other essential community services. 

General rates are calculated using a differential rating system based on a property’s value (known as the Unimproved Capital Value, or UCV) and its zoning under the Northern Territory Planning Scheme. Each category has its own rate and minimum charge. The rates are then calculated using either the minimum amount or the UCV-based rate — whichever is higher. 

In addition, fixed rates will apply to specific land use categories such as workers accommodation, major cattle facility, cotton gins and solar farms. 

For multi-zoned allotments — properties within the Katherine Municipality that span more than one zone — valuation services will provide Council with the percentage split and UCV for each zone. Council will apply the general rate associated with the zone that represents the highest percentage of the property's area. 

After reviewing service costs, inflation, and the impact on the Katherine Municipality, Council has set a balanced approach for 2026/2027 that supports both financial sustainability and affordability.

The total amount expected to be raised from General Rates is $10,387,770.95, subject to any supplementary adjustments during the levying period.  

As in previous years, Council has resolved to apply an overall rates increase of 4.8%. Reduced rate‑in‑the‑dollar increases have been applied to residential, central business and service commercial properties, with overall increases of 4.5% for LR, LMR and MR zoned allotments, and 3.8% for CB zoned allotments. 

This mixed increase balances the need to meet rising operational costs while remaining mindful of ongoing cost‑of‑living pressures within the community. For most households, this equates to a median annual increase of $159 for residential, $96 for central business and $75 for rural zoned properties. This also takes into consideration updated property values set by the Valuer-General as part of the latest revaluation. 

Overall, this approach helps ensure Council can continue to provide essential services while keeping rates fair, transparent and as affordable as possible for the community. 

Rating Category/Zone	Proposed 26/27 RID	Proposed 26/27 Min	Levy Estimate 2026/27
Binjari	0.0000001	$1,605.00	$73,830.00
Cotton Gin	3.4076	$13,256.00	$13,256.00
Major Cattle Facility	0.5067	$1,921.00	$7,980.53
Major Shopping Centre	3.4076	$1,921.00	$91,153.30
Mining Tenement	0.9238	$2,368.42	$0.00
Pastoral Lease	0.0813	$1,000.70	$12,951.80
Solar Farm	0.7881	$1,757.00	$6,856.47
Tindal Ex Gratia	0.0000001	$1,850.00	$447,700.00
Workers Accom Less Than 120	0.0000001	$20,207.00	$0.00
Workers Accom Less Than 240	0.0000001	$35,362.00	$0.00
Workers Accom Less Than 30	0.0000001	$3,725.00	$11,175.00
Workers Accom Less Than 60	0.0000001	$12,630.00	$0.00
Workers Accom More Than 240	0.0000001	$63,626.00	$63,626.00
Zone A H HCP	0.299	$1,757.00	$262,772.95
Zone C	2.4688	$1,757.00	$51,059.16
Zone CB	3.0584	$1,704.00	$1,369,559.12
Zone CB (Residential Use)	0.5443	$1,568.00	$32,553.30
Zone CL CP	3.9948	$1,659.00	$144,681.24
Zone CV TC	3.4076	$1,757.00	$242,280.36
Zone FD	3.4076	$1,788.00	$1,788.00
Zone GI LI	1.9116	$1,757.00	$1,215,686.80
Zone LR LMR MR	2.1289	$1,568.00	$4,586,138.67
Zone NOZONE	0.299	$1,704.00	$377,807.00
Zone OR	1.3386	$1,757.00	$17,820.20
Zone R	0.3919	$1,605.00	$732,065.81
Zone RL	0.6801	$1,568.00	$396,902.18
Zone RW	19.5123	$1,757.00	$14,636.01
Zone SC	4.5066	$1,757.00	$22,533.00
Zone SK1 SK2 SK4 SK5	2.1289	$1,568.00	$86,487.28
Zone WM	0.4939	$1,757.00	$104,470.77

 

Waste Management Charges

Katherine Town Council’s waste management charges support both the ongoing operational costs and the significant capital investments required to keep the Katherine Waste Management Facility environmentally compliant and sustainable. For the 2026/2027 financial year, Council aims to collect $1,730,765.00 through waste levies, ensuring that the costs of operating, maintaining, and rehabilitating the facility are met now and in the future. 

The full waste management charge for 2026/2027 will increase by 5.9% in line with the Long-Term Financial Plan. The full waste management charge will be $466.00, representing a $26.00 increase from the previous year. This fee covers both the weekly kerbside garbage collection and access to the Katherine Waste Management Facility to dispose free for disposal items as per the Fees and Charges 2026/2027. The adjustment equates to an increase of approximately $0.50 per week. 

For properties where Council is unable to provide a regular weekly kerbside collection service, a minimum waste management charge of $195.00 will apply. This represents an increase of $25.00 from the previous year, equating to approximately $0.29 more per week.

All other allotments within the municipality will also be subject to the $195.00 minimum waste management levy. This levy is essential for supporting the operation and maintenance of the Katherine Waste Management Facility, ensures landowners have access to the facility, and funds important waste management projects across the municipality. 

Council remains committed to the delivery of waste services that are sustainable, accessible, and environmentally responsible, supporting positive long‑term outcomes for the Katherine community.