In 2025-2026, Council is proposing to introduce a new annual charge to residential and business properties to fund a suite of stormwater management projects. The charge was first introduced into the Local Government Act 1993 in 2005. This is the first time Council will apply the charge to properties in Lake Macquarie. This will allow us to increase the level of service of our stormwater network to the community. 

Council has consistently worked to manage stormwater within its operating budget. However, over time, a shortfall in funding limits our ability to meet increasing community expectation.

Maintaining drains was a ‘Top 5’ issue of importance, according to the 2020 Community Satisfaction survey. To improve community satisfaction in Council’s management of stormwater, we are proposing to introduce a Stormwater Management Services Charge to help fund important stormwater management projects across the city and improve the health of our waterways. 

The proposed charge for residential properties is $25 per eligible urban property, except residential strata units where an annual charge of $12.50 is applicable. Urban properties have been defined using property zonings. Charges do not apply to vacant land or land exempt from rates as defined by Section 555 and 556 of the Local Government Act 1993.  Additionally, land held under a lease for private purposes granted under the Housing Act 2001 or the Aboriginal Housing Act 1998 is also exempt from the charge.

For business properties, the proposed charge will be $25 for every 350m² of site area, with a maximum charge of $5,000. Business strata units are charged the same way, but each unit will pay based on its share of the property. 

Any urban properties within the Lake Macquarie local government area with a residential (standard, strata or multi-occupancy) or business property category will have the charge applied. Zones considered non-urban and excluded from the charge, unless mixed with residential, commercial, business or industrial zones include:

• C1 National Parks and Nature Reserves
• RE1 - Public Recreation
• RU2 - Rural Landscape
• RU3 – Forestry
• RU4 – primary production small lots
• RU6 - transition
• C2 - Environmental Conservation
• C3 – Environmental Management
• C4 - Environmental Living
• SP1 – Special Activities
• SP2 – Infrastructure

You can check the zoning of your property using Council’s Property Enquiry tool. 

In 2025-2026, the Stormwater Management Services Charge is forecast to raise $2.2 million.

Council adopted the Stormwater Management Services Charge Policy in March 2025.

The Storm Water Management Services Charge would be levied alongside Council existing rates and charges from 1 July 2025. 

The Stormwater Management Services Charge will fund important projects such as:

• construction of new stormwater quality improvement devices along our waterways catch debris and help improve water quality
• restoration and rehabilitation of local creek beds
• drainage infrastructure including pipes, pits and culverts
• construction and maintenance of swales and drainage channels in parks and reserves.

The funds will also support the development of bioretention basins, stormwater quality improvement devices, and increased maintenance and inspections.

The proposed drainage improvement works in the draft Delivery Program 2025-2029 and Operational Plan 2025-2026 include:

• Dobell Drive, Wangi Wangi
• Hallam Street, Charlestown
• Earl Street, Holmesville
• Tudor Street, Belmont
• Carleton Street, Toronto
• Wimbledon Grove, Garden Suburb
• Dora Street, Cooranbong
• Lakeview Street, Boolaroo
• Mandalong Road, Morisset
• Wood Street, Bonnells Bay
• Lakeview Road, Morisset Park
• Nanda Street, Marmong Point
• Tiral Street, Charlestown
• George Street, Holmesville

   

  The income from the charge will also fund additional operating activities including:

• The development of a bioretention basin and stormwater quality improvement device asset management plan
• Increased proactive stormwater asset inspections
• Increased maintenance of pipes, stormwater quality improvement devices and bioretention basins.

Yes, most councils within the Hunter Region have implemented the Stormwater Management Services Charge since it was introduced in 2005. 

Office of Local Government guidelines dictate that Council must only levy the Stormwater Management Services Charge to make up any shortfall in funds required to complete specifically identified stormwater management projects. If there is no shortfall, the charge is not levied. 

Eligible ratepayers may apply for financial hardship assistance at lakemac.com.au.  

Hunter Water is responsible for the construction and maintenance of large stormwater drains in Lake Macquarie, while Council is responsible for the remaining assets including smaller drains, basins, swales, creeks, roadside kerb and channel and stormwater quality improvement devices.

Hunter Water may levy charges on landowners in certain areas for large stormwater operations and maintenance. Transport for NSW is also responsible for construction and maintenance of some stormwater management assets along main roads and rail corridors throughout the city. 

About 2600 rateable properties, clustered around Lake Macquarie’s northern boundary, pay Hunter Catchment Contributions as part of their rates.

These contributions fund maintenance and construction of projects associated with the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme. Whereas the proposed Stormwater Management Services Charge will fund stormwater management projects within Lake Macquarie City.

You can learn more about Hunter Catchment Contributions by visiting the Local Land Services website.