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Rates & fees

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, is 2.75%, and Indigo's adopted Budget raises the average general rate and the municipal charge by that amount. The cap limits the council's average rate rise, not your individual bill, and it covers general rates and the municipal charge only — the kerbside 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.
See the full explainer, with formulas →

Rates at a glance

2026–27 rate cap
2.75%General rates are budgeted at about $15.25 million and the municipal charge at about $3.27 million, across 9,505 rateable assessments; total rates and charges, including waste service charges, about $22.0 million.
How your general rate is worked out
Capital improved value (CIV) × rate in the dollar, by land category2026–27 rates in the dollar: general 0.0021256; residential vacant land 0.0042512; rural 1 0.0015942; rural 2 0.0019131; commercial/industrial 0.0028696 — so a general property valued at $500,000 pays about $1,063 in general rates, before the municipal charge. Valuer-General Victoria revalues every property each year.
Municipal charge
$364.20 per rateable property (2026–27)Up from $354.45. Farmland that is part of a single farm enterprise can be exempt on all but one property; the council's page lists the criteria.
Why your bill can change by more or less than 2.75%
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.
Kerbside waste charges (2026–27, outside the rate cap)
Urban rubbish $128.00; rural rubbish $217.00; recycling $119.00; organics $202.00Up about 10% on 2025–26; the Mayor and CEO's budget introduction says the rises largely pass through contract costs, including fuel.
Due dates
Four instalments — the first due 30 SeptemberThe council's page (checked September 2026) still lists the 2025–26 dates: 30 September, 30 November, 28 February and 31 May. Instalment notices are sent at least 14 days before each due date; you can pay any instalment early. Pay online with the reference number on your notice, or by the other methods on the notice.
Interest on late payments
10% a yearThe council charges interest on overdue rates at the rate fixed under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983, which has been 10% a year since 1 February 2017. Check your notice.
Help if you're struggling to pay
Payment arrangements, hardship assistance and pensioner concessionsUnder the council's Financial Hardship Policy 2024. Contact the council on 1300 365 003 to discuss options.
Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF)
A state charge collected on your rates noticeReplaced the Fire Services Property Levy. The council says it is not a council charge; it is state revenue and is not covered by the rate cap.
Disagree with your valuation?
Object within 60 days of the notice's issue dateLodge through the state's Rating Valuation Objections Portal.Object to a valuation →

The rate cap limits the council's average rate rise, not each household's bill. In 2025–26 the Essential Services Commission approved a one-off higher cap of 7.54% for Indigo; the council described it as moving its separate Environmental Management Contribution charge into general rates, without extra revenue beyond the standard cap. Figures here are from the council's 2026–27 Budget, adopted at the 30 June 2026 Council Meeting (the PDF's introduction still invites comment on the draft), and from its rates pages; confirm against your notice.

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.