Rate percentage increases
The Local Government Act 2020 requires us to have a Revenue and Rating Plan. This is a plan for how we will generate income to deliver the Council Plan, programs and services, and capital works commitments for the next 4 years.
Our rates and charges are an important source of revenue. They make up 77% of the total revenue we receive each year.
The Minister for Local Government announced that the average property rate cap for 2022–23 will rise by 1.75%. We won’t be asking for any changes to this rate cap.
We have used the Department of Treasury and Finance forecasts of the consumer price index to estimate a 2% rate cap rise for future years.
| Year | Rate increase % |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1.75% |
| 2024 | 2% |
| 2025 | 2% |
| 2026 | 2% |
| 2027 | 2% |
Forecast of rates and charges
The table below is an overview of our rates and charges. It shows what we forecast in 2021–22 compared to the actual 2022–23 budget.
| Type or class of land | Forecast actual 2021–22 | Budget 2022–23 | Change in dollars | Change in percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General rates | $165,514,722 | $169,984,617 | $4,469,895 | 2.6% |
| Supplementary rates and adjustments | $900,000 | $900,000 | $0 | 0% |
| Waste management charge | $31,510,000 | $31,686,000 | $176,000 | 0.6% |
| Interest on rates and charges | $625,000 | $550,000 | –$75,000 | –13.6% |
| Special rate schemes | $1,419,378 | $1,374,555 | –$44,823 | –3.3% |
| Less early payment discount | –$855,944 | –$857,016 | –$1,072 | 0.1% |
| Cultural Recreation charges | $54,753 | $56,002 | $1,249 | 100% |
| Total rates and charges | $199,167,909 | $203,694,158 | $4,526,249 | 2.2% |
Rates and property value
The Valuer General of Victoria took over the rateable property general valuation process in 1 July 2018. It also changed this process to happen every year instead of every 2 years.
Under the Local Government Act 1989, local governments can increase rate revenue through valuations of properties. The Valuer General of Victoria works out and certifies the Capital Improved Value (CIV) of properties. We then use the CIV to work out the rates.
The way rates are charged is the same for residential and business properties.
Detailed rates and charges
Rate payment options
In 2022–23, we will offer different ways to pay your rates. We will also apply a 2% discount if you pay in full by 31 August 2022.
Payment options include:
- one lump sum payment
- one lump sum payment in full by 15 February 2023. Direct debit is available for this option
- pay in 4 instalments. Payments are required on 30 September, 30 November, 28 February, and 31 May 2022. Direct debit is available for this option
- a direct debit (interest free) payment plan. Pay once a month over 10 months with direct debit.
You can find out more about paying your rates on our Pay your rates page.