Methods used to value land
Councils may adopt one of three valuation methodologies to value the properties in its area. They are:
- Capital Value - the value of the land and all the improvements on the land.
- Site Value - the value of the land and any improvements which permanently affect the amenity of use of the land, such as drainage works, but excluding the value of buildings and other improvements.
- Annual Value - a valuation of the rental potential of the property.
Council has decided to continue to use site value as the basis for valuing land within the Council area. Council considers that this method of valuing land provides a fair method of distributing the rate burden across all ratepayers on the following basis:
- The nature of land holdings in the district, and
- The mix of land uses in the district.
Notional values
Certain properties may be eligible for a notional value, where the property is the principal place of residence of a ratepayer, under the Valuation of Land Act 1971. This relates to some primary production land or where there is State heritage recognition.
Adoption of valuations
A Council may employ or engage a valuer to value the land in the area or it may use the valuations provided by the Valuer General, or it may use a combination of both subject to certain restrictions. The Valuer General is a statutory officer appointed by the Governor.
The Council has adopted the valuations made by the State Valuation Office and provided to the Council on 26 June 2023.
Objection to valuations
If a ratepayer is dissatisfied with the valuation made by the State Valuation Office, then the ratepayer may object to the State Valuation Office in writing, within 60 days of receiving the notice of the valuation, explaining the basis for the objection, provided they have not:
- Previously received a notice of this valuation under the Local Government Act, in which case the objection period is 60 days from the receipt of the first notice;
- Previously had an objection to the valuation considered by the State Valuation Office. Please note, Council has no role in this process. It is also important to note that the lodgement of an objection does not change the due dates for the payment of rates.
Objections are to be forwarded to:
State Valuation Office
GPO Box 1354
Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: 1300 653 346
Email: LsgObjections@sa.gov.au