Golden Plains Shire (VIC) council rates

Rates & fees

Rates pay for most council services. In Victoria, the state sets a yearly cap on how much a council can raise its average rates. For 2026–27 the cap is 2.75%, and Golden Plains' adopted budget raises average general rates and the municipal charge by that much. The cap applies to the average across all properties, so your own bill can rise or fall by more. It moves with your property's value compared with everyone else's, your property type, the waste charge, and the state levy printed on the same notice.

New to these terms? Read them in plain English

Pensioner rebate: A discount on rates for eligible pensioners.

See the full explainer, with formulas →

Rates at a glance

2026–27 rate rise: Average general rates and municipal charge: +2.75%In line with the 2.75% cap set under the Fair Go Rates System. The council adopted the 2026–27 budget at its meeting on 26 May 2026. Rate notices were mailed in August 2026.
How your rates are calculated: Capital Improved Value × the rate in the dollar for your property type2026–27 rates in the dollar: residential, and business, industrial and commercial, 0.002217 (100%); business, industrial and commercial in Bannockburn 0.002882 (130%); farm land 0.001663 (75%); non-farm vacant land 0.004545 (205%); non-developable vacant land 0.002217 (100%).Rates and charges →
Municipal charge: $200 per assessmentA flat charge on every property, whatever its value or type.
Waste charge (2026–27): $497 per propertyUp $50 (11.2%) on 2025–26. The charge is compulsory for dwellings within the council's garbage collection areas, whether or not the service is used. Extra services in 2026–27: a second garbage collection $220, a second recycling collection $135. Waste charges aren't covered by the rate cap.Charges →
When it's due: 4 instalments (30 Sep, 30 Nov 2026, 28 Feb, 31 May 2027), or in full by 15 February 2027Or 10 monthly direct debits on the 15th of each month from September 2026 to June 2027 (register with the council). Other ways to pay: online, BPAY, POST billpay (in person at a post office or by phone), mail, or at a customer hub.Pay your rates →
Interest on overdue rates: 10% a yearFixed under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983, charged from the date each missed instalment was due, as the council's rates page states.
Farm rate: 75% of the general rateFor land that meets the farm land definition in the Valuation of Land Act 1960 (at least 2 hectares, used primarily for farming by a business). The council's page also says eligible farms over 40 hectares can receive the discount. Contact the rates team for an application form.Farm rate →
Pensioner rebate: Up to $272.70 off (2026–27), plus $50 off the state levyHalf the council rates, municipal and garbage charges, up to the maximum, on your principal place of residence. You need a Pensioner Concession Card or a DVA card specifying 'War Widow'; health care cards don't qualify.Concessions →
Financial hardship: Payment arrangements and the council's Financial Hardship PolicyIf you can't pay by the due date, call the council's Rates Team on (03) 5220 7111.Hardship policy →
Also on your notice: ESVF: Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund — a state levyThe council collects it with rates and passes it to the State Government. It replaced the Fire Services Property Levy on 1 July 2025. It isn't council revenue and isn't covered by the rate cap. The council says part-payments are split equally between council charges and the levy.About the ESVF →

The 2.75% rise, the rates in the dollar, the municipal charge and the waste charges come from the adopted Budget 2026–27 (§4.1.1) and match the council's rates page (September 2026). Due dates, interest, the farm rate and the pensioner rebate come from the council's rates page. Check your own notice for your figures.

Sources — check it yourself

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.