Rates & fees
Victoria caps how much a council can raise its average rates each year. For 2026–27 the cap, set by the Minister for Local Government and published by the Essential Services Commission (ESC), is 2.75%. Alpine's adopted Budget sets its rates below the cap: the ESC found the council's 2025–26 average rate rise (3.96%) exceeded that year's 3.00% cap, and the council says its 2026–27 rates restore its rate base to where it would have been without that error and return the 2025–26 overcharge through a one-off credit. The cap covers general rates only for Alpine (it has no municipal charge); waste charges and the state's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund on the same notice are outside it.
New to these terms? Read them in plain English
- Pensioner rebate
- A discount on rates for eligible pensioners.
Rates at a glance
- 2026–27 rate cap
- 2.75%General rates are budgeted at about $18.77 million across 9,163 rateable assessments; total rates and charges, including waste charges, about $24.24 million.
- 2025–26 rate cap and 2026–27 credit
- One-off rate credit of $168,713 across all rateable properties in 2026–27The ESC's 2025–26 compliance report found Alpine 'materially non-compliant' with an average rate increase of 3.96% against the 3.00% cap. The council says this came from a systems error linked to ending the Dinner Plain Special Rate, with no intent to exceed the cap. The credit is shared by property value (CIV) and rating category.
- How your general rate is worked out
- Capital improved value (CIV) × rate in the dollar, by category2026–27 rates in the dollar: residential (general) 0.002415; commercial/industrial 0.003454 (143% of general); farm 0.001762 (73% of general) — up 2.33%, 2.34% and 2.26% on 2025–26. So a residential property valued at $500,000 pays about $1,208 in general rates, before waste charges and the credit. Farm land must be over eight hectares and a bona fide farm to qualify for the farm rate. Valuer-General Victoria revalues every property each year.
- Municipal charge
- NoneThe council's budget says it does not apply a municipal charge.
- Why your bill can change by more or less than the average
- Your property value relative to othersThe cap applies to the council's average rate. If your property's value rose more than the Shire average at revaluation, your general rates rise by more; if it rose less (or fell), they rise by less.
- Waste charges (2026–27, outside the rate cap)
- Waste management charge $298.00 per assessment, plus your kerbside bin chargesStandard bins: rubbish 80 L fortnightly $67.89; recycling 240 L fortnightly $91.47; FOGO 240 L weekly $123.35 (urban only). Dinner Plain standard service $760.03. See the Waste & recycling page for what each covers.
- Due dates
- Four instalments: 30 September, 30 November, 28 February, 31 MayValuation and rates notices are posted in August, with reminders before each instalment. Pay by BPAY, BPOINT online, FlexiPay direct debit, phone (1300 276 468), at a post office, or at the council office in Bright or the libraries in Bright, Mount Beauty and Myrtleford.Ways to pay →
- Interest on late payments
- The council's page doesn't state the rate — up to 10% a yearThe council says overdue rates attract interest under the Local Government Act 1989 and refers you to the back of your notice. The maximum is the penalty interest rate under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983, 10% a year since 1 February 2017.
- Help if you're struggling to pay
- Payment plans, hardship assistance and pensioner concessionsUnder the council's Financial Hardship Policy; apply with the Rates Hardship Application Form or call 03 5755 0555. Pensioner Concession and DVA card holders can apply for the state-funded concession on their principal residence (Health Care Cards are not eligible).
- Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF)
- A state charge collected on your rates noticeReplaced the Fire Services Property Levy. It is state revenue, not council rates, and is not covered by the rate cap. ESVF support line: 1300 819 033.
- Disagree with your valuation?
- Object within two months of the notice's issue dateLodge through the state's Rating Valuation Objections Portal; keep paying as the notice shows until a decision is made.Object to a valuation →
The rate cap limits the council's average rate rise, not each household's bill. Figures are from the council's 2026–27 Budget, adopted at the 30 June 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting, and its rates pages; confirm against your notice. The council's 'Calculation of Rates' page still refers to the 2024/25 Budget's rate rise.
Sources — check it yourself
- Alpine Shire Council — Budget 2026/27 (PDF; §1 introduction, §5.1 rates and charges, §5.1.6.11 rate cap) · 2026–27
- Alpine Shire Council — Ordinary Council Meeting minutes, 30 June 2026 (PDF; item 8.2.6) · 30 Jun 2026
- Alpine Shire Council — Calculation of Rates (categories, objections, ESVF) · Sep 2026
- Alpine Shire Council — Payment of Rates (instalments, interest, hardship, concessions) · Sep 2026
- Essential Services Commission — Council compliance reports (2025–26: Alpine non-compliant, 3.96%) · Dec 2025
- Essential Services Commission — Annual council rate caps · 2026–27
- Supreme Court of Victoria — Penalty interest rates · Sep 2026
- State Revenue Office — Emergency services and volunteers fund · Sep 2026
Figures are current as at the dates shown and may change — always confirm with the linked source. See the notice at the bottom of the page for full details and how to report a correction.