Legislation confirming local governments cannot levy rates on miscellaneous licenses used by mining companies has today passed WA Parliament in a development welcomed by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA (CME).
The Local Government Amendment (Rating of Certain Mining Licences) Bill 2025 restores the original intent of the Local Government Act following uncertainty created by a Supreme Court decision last year.
CME Chief Executive Officer Aaron Morey commended both the WA Government and Opposition for working to close a loophole that would have resulted in some councils levying rates twice on the same land.
“The bill passed with bipartisan support in recognition of the fact resources companies are already significant financial contributors to councils and regional communities through the rates they pay on mining and exploration tenements,” Mr Morey said.
“In many instances, miscellaneous licences sit on top of those tenements and are used to cover supporting infrastructure such as roads, power lines and mine site accommodation.
“Double rating the same land just because it is used by a mining company is clearly unfair and a contravention of the intent of the Local Government Act.
“The resources sector is a major investor and employer in regional and remote WA but that will only continue if our State’s competitiveness holds up in the face of increasingly fierce competition for global capital.”
Media contacts:
Josh Zimmerman j.zimmerman@cmewa.com / 0404 947 719
Natasha Mutch n.mutch@cmewa.com / 0435 383 382