Kimberley Pilbara Pastoralists group take its rate row to Minister

WA pastoralists have taken their fight with local authorities over steep council rate hikes to the Local Government Minister. Pastoralists in the Kimberley and Pilbara face up to 350 per cent hikes in rates, despite an unresolved dispute over the underlying process used to calculate land values. In some instances, rate increases go against advice from the WA Local Government Association for a 20 per cent phase in over three years, given the extreme hike in valuations and the COVID environment. Shire rate increases follow a 2019 steep jump in pastoral land rents for the subsequent five years, largely based on an increase in unimproved values which skyrocketed after wealthy foreign and corporate investors bought into the regions. Kimberley land rents increased by an average 327 per cent, while Pilbara pastoralists were hit with an average 87 per cent hike. The rent increases prompted a flood of objections to the valuer general. Key complaints were flaws in the valuation methodology when arriving at unimproved capital values, and in how the capitalisation rate was determined. Matters raised in the objections are being investigated, according to Landgate. Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association chief executive Luke Simpkins said the shire rates matter had been referred to Local Government Minister David Templeman. “Rate increases have taken place across the Pilbara and Kimberley, with the exception of the Shire of Halls Creek,” he said. He said the Shire of Derby West-Kimberley disregarded advice from WALGA and increased pastoral leasehold rates by up to 350 per cent. “We felt the shires should be highlighted to the Minister, and intervention sought, rather than await any changes to the valuations. ” he said. Mr Templeman was unavailable for comment this week.