2025/2026 rates notices distributed

Published on 28 August 2025

Gannawarra Shire landowners will soon receive their municipal rates notices for 2025/2026.

Work is occurring to deliver around 6,000 municipal rates notices to landowners, with each notice including a brochure outlining how your rates are calculated and a message about how your rates contribute to the Council budget.

“Municipal rates is one of the major ways Council’s services and projects are funded,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“As per the State Government’s Fair Go Rates system, Council cannot increase the amount of revenue received via municipal rates by more than three per cent compared to the previous year. This means that we are having to look at all elements of our services and projects to ensure they are fiscally responsible.”

Included with this year’s notice is a two-page flyer outlining the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) levy, which Council is legally required to collect on behalf of the State Government.

This State Government charge, which replaces the Fire Services Property Levy, will support the work of a broad range of emergency services, including Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), Triple Zero Victoria, Emergency Management Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria, Emergency Recovery Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria and Country Fire Authority (CFA).

“Council continues to oppose the introduction of the ESVF in its current form and will take every opportunity to object this levy on behalf of our community,” Mr Rollinson said.

“If you choose not to pay the ESVF levy, Council is legislated to charge interest and take steps to recover any outstanding amounts. If you only pay a portion of the total amount due, some of the payment will be paid to the State Government to cover the levy.”

Residents who have questions about the ESVF levy are encouraged to contact the State Revenue Office ESVF Support Line on 1300 819 033 or visit www.sro.vic.gov.au/esvf

Ratepayers may choose to pay their rates in full, with payment due by mid-February 2026. The most popular option is by instalments, with the first instalment payment due by Tuesday, 30 September.

Ratepayers who are experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to contact Council on (03) 5450 9333 as early as possible to request a payment plan.

For more information about Gannawarra Shire Council’s municipal rates, including lodging an objection, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/rates