EconSearch Completed Project

Project: NRM Levy Rate Equalisation for Local Governments in the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges NRM Board region (2009)

Client: Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board

Summary: At the time of the formation of the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges NRM Board (from the amalgamation of four Catchment Management Boards), the NRM levy rate in the dollar was different in every one of the more than 20 Councils that are located within the boundaries of the NRM Board region. The purpose of this project was to develop a model that would provide a pathway to equalisation of the levy rate in the dollar across all constituent Councils. Modelled under five, seven and ten year time frames were:

  • the current rate in the dollar by council and an adjustment that left the levy rate in the dollar equal in each council;
  • the total amount collected by each council as the rate in the dollar moved towards equalisation;
  • the average levy per property as the rate in the dollar moved towards equalisation; and
  • the levy for the highest valued residential, commercial, industrial and rural properties as the rate in the dollar moved towards equalisation.