YOUR RATES NOTICE EXPLAINED
Rates notice are distributed to landowners during late August and early September each year. If you have not received your rates notice by 15 September, please phone Council on (03) 5450 9333.
Included in your rates notice is an information brochure detailing how your rates are calculated, a message from the Mayor and information regarding how your rates support Council's key services. To download a copy of the information brochure please click here(PDF, 910KB).
You can also sign up to receive your rates notice digitally through e-notices. For more information or to log in to your account, please click here.
What is rate capping?
This video explains rate capping in a clear way
Council has established a rating structure comprised of two key elements:
1. The property values component reflecting the capacity to pay; and
2. The user pays component reflecting the usage of services provided by Council.
The existing rating structure comprises four (4) different rating categories: residential, commercial/industrial, farm dryland and farm irrigation.
Property valuations are determined by Council's Contract Valuer and are used to calculate the rates to be levied.
The valuation shown on your current notice is based on levels at 1 January 2022. The State Government requires every Victorian local Council to undertake a revaluation of all rateable land yearly. The next revaluation will be based on levels at 1 January 2023.
What method of valuation does Council use?
Council adopts the Capital Improved Value (CIV) method to determine the rates. The CIV reflects the market value of the land and improvements excluding chattels, fixtures and fittings.
Please note that Site Value is included in the CIV.
If you do not agree with your current valuation you may object. Objections must be received within 60 days from the date of print on your rates notice. An objection may be made in relation to the value of a property or on other grounds as specified in the Valuation of Land Act.
Objections must be lodged on the appropriate forms which are available on Council’s website. After receiving an objection, a valuer must discuss the matter with the objector and is required to make a decision within 120 days.
A supplementary valuation is an update of the valuation following any significant change to the property that alters its value. A supplementary rate notice can be sent at any time throughout the year.
The Capital Improved Value (CIV) is multiplied by the rate set by Council.
The Capital Improved Value (CIV) is multiplied by the rate set by Council. For 2022/23 the General Rate (Residential Rate) is 0.004990 cents in every $1 of the CIV.
For example, if the CIV of a residential property is $250,000 the rates are calculated as follows:
$250,000 x 0.004990 = $1247.50
For 2022/23 the differential rate for commercial and industrial properties is set at 0.005503 cents in the dollar and dryland farms is set at 0.002493 cents in the dollar. The rate for farm irrigated district is 0.004131 cents in the dollar.
If you believe that your property is farmland in accordance with the Valuation of Land Act 1960 and is not rated as a farm, please contact the Rates Coordinator on 5450 9333.
The garbage charge is charged for the collection of waste and recyclables from your property and its disposal and/or treatment. In the case of domestic garbage, the charge is made up of two components: the first covers the contract cost of actual collection of the waste; the second covers its disposal at Council's refuse disposal site.
The charge applies to each residential property (other than vacant land) within all the townships throughout the Shire regardless of whether or not the service is used. The charge is based on the number of bins at each property.
Garbage Charges for 2022/23
Total Service Waste & Recycling
120L Garbage/240L Recycling = $383.00
240L Garbage/240L Recycling = $550.00
Greenwaste Collection = $61.00