Rate Capping

Published on 22 December 2016

The impact of a State Government enforced rate cap will have a significant influence on how Council prepare the upcoming draft Budget.

Mayor Brian Gibson explains that the Victorian Government has set the cap matching the Consumer Price Index (CPI) forecast by the Department of Treasury and Finance.

"Council will continue to review service levels and look at different ways to deliver services to the community. This process is essential on the back of a 2.5% cap last year and now a 2% cap this year," Mayor Gibson stated.

As part of the development of the Council Plan and the draft Budget, Mayor Gibson said work would continue in considering all options available to Council to uphold its services and programs across the municipality.

"I want to assure the community that changes will not be made in haste, and not without considering all options and after community consultation, however it is important that we carefully look at all the services Council provide, how we provide them and to what level we provide them," Mayor Gibson explained.

Council’s Director Corporate Services Tom O’Reilly reiterated Council’s responsibility to plan for a financially sustainable future.

"In order for Council to remain sustainable in the long term, and to plan for rate capping into the future, we need to continue to find more efficient ways of providing priority services to our community," Mr O’Reilly said.

For more information on Fair Go Rates visit www.delwp.vic.gov/fairgorates

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