Your rates and charges explained

This year we will raise $53.56 million from rates and charges to continue to deliver quality services and maintain community facilities. 

This amount is divided by the total value of all properties in the shire, which establishes what is called a ‘rate in the dollar’. Different types of land (like residential, commercial or farming) may have different rates.

The rate in the dollar is then multiplied by the value of your property to determine the amount of your rates.

In short: Property value × Rate in the dollar = Your rates.

In addition to your rates, there are also charges for waste and recycling collections, a municipal charge that is applied to each property to assist Council to recover part of its administrative costs, and other government charges that Council is required to collect on behalf of the State Government. These are outlined in the section below. 

This charge covers the cost of core local government functions, such as administering local laws and planning controls; and ensuring there is due and proper governance. 

This charge is the total cost for your four bin kerbside collection service. 

 In addition to standard landfill fees, councils must factor in a State Government Environment Protection Authority (EPA) waste levy into the costings of providing this service.

A waste levy on each general waste bin applies if you receive the service. Council is required to collect this levy on behalf of the Victorian Government for domestic waste that is put into landfill facilities (tips). This levy is shown separately on your rates notice, as Council does not benefit from the money collected.

The Victorian Government has replaced the Fire Services Property Levy with the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF), effective from 1 July 2025.

The ESVF will fund a broader range of emergency services, including Fire Rescue Victoria, the Country Fire Authority, Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), Triple Zero Victoria, Emergency Management Victoria, the State Control Centre, Forest Fire Management Victoria, and recovery agencies. 

Council is required by law to collect this levy for the state government. Council does not benefit financially from the levy.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I don’t want to pay the levy?

Ratepayers cannot choose which charges to pay on their rates notice, and any partial payments are allocated equally across Council rates, charges, and the levy.

What is Council’s position on the levy?

Council is very disappointed that legislation for the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) Levy has passed through the Victorian Parliament in a rushed way, and without a full assessment being undertaken of its impacts on rural and regional communities and local government areas.

You can read about Council’s position on the ESVF Levy.

How is the levy calculated?

The ESVF Levy includes a fixed and variable charge. More information is available on the State Revenue Office Victoria website

Can I object to the levy?

While you cannot object to the levy itself, you may object to the valuation and the Australian Valuation Property Classification Code of your property. More information is available at Property Valuations

What if I cannot pay the levy?

If you are facing financial hardship or expecting difficulty paying your rates, charges, or the levy, contact us to discuss available support options.

A new Volunteer Rebate is available for eligible CFA and VicSES volunteers, along with a partial rebate for eligible drought-affected farmers. You must apply via the Department of Government Services website

Eligible pensioners and Department of Veterans’ Affairs card holders will continue to receive a $50 rebate on the ESVF Levy.