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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% for almost every council, including the Borough. The cap limits the council's average rate rise, not your individual bill, and it covers general rates and any municipal charge only — 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%The Borough's adopted 2026–27 Budget raises total rates by 2.75%, to about $8.0 million across 3,150 rateable assessments.
How your general rate is worked out
Capital improved value × rate in the dollarValuer-General Victoria revalues every property each year (the latest valuation date is 1 January 2026). The 2026–27 rate in the dollar is 0.179098% for residential and commercial property and 0.223873% for residential vacant land — so a home valued at $1,000,000 pays $1,790.98 in general rates.
Why your bill can change by more or less than 2.75%
Your property value relative to othersThe council says residential values fell by an average of 2.7% for 2026–27. A home whose value fell by about that much sees a 2.75% rate rise; one that fell by more sees less, and one that fell by less (or rose) sees more.
Municipal charge
None ($nil in 2026–27)
Waste charges (2026–27, outside the rate cap)
Residential: $548 ($365 standard kerbside + $183 public waste)Up $48 (9.6%) on 2025–26. Commercial and vacant land pay the public waste charge only ($183, down $20). An additional kerbside bin is $140. The council sets waste charges to recover the full cost of waste services.
Due dates (2026–27)
Four instalments: 30 Sep 2026, 30 Nov 2026, 28 Feb 2027, 31 May 2027A notice is sent about four weeks before each due date. If a due date falls on a weekend or public holiday it moves to the next business day. Direct debit (FlexiPay), BPAY, Post Billpay, online card payment and in-person payment are all available.
Interest on late payments
Penalty interest rate — currently 10% a yearThe council's pages say late payments incur interest but don't state the rate. Victorian councils charge 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. Your rates notice shows the rate applied.
Pensioner concession
$272 state concession + $150 from the Borough (2026–27)For holders of a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or an eligible Department of Veterans' Affairs card, on their principal place of residence; the application form is on the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website. The council's page also mentions a $50 rebate on the Fire Services Property Levy, which was replaced by the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund from 1 July 2025 — check the current ESVF concession with the State Revenue Office.
Help if you're struggling to pay
Payment plans or deferral under the council's Rates Assistance policy (CP031)Talk to the council's Rates Coordinator first. Individual payment plans (including Centrelink deductions) and deferred payment are available; interest continues to accrue on arrears.
Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF)
A state levy collected on your rates noticeReplaced the Fire Services Property Levy from 1 July 2025. It is paid to the State Government, not council 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 Rating Valuation Objections Portal or by contacting the council.Object to a valuation →

The rate cap limits the council's average rate rise, not each household's bill. How your own general rate changes depends mostly on how your property's value moved compared with the Borough's average at the annual revaluation. Figures are from the council's adopted 2026–27 Budget and 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.