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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 Towong. 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 and waste facilities 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 adopted 2026–27 Budget applies the 2.75% cap: general rates and the municipal charge together raise about $9.01 million across 4,590 rateable properties — an average of $1,963 per property.
How your general rate is worked out
Capital improved value × rate in the dollar for your land typeFive differential rates for 2026–27 (cents in the dollar of CIV): residential and rural residential 0.2413; rural 0.1930; business 0.2172; undeveloped residential 0.7720. So a residential property valued at $400,000 pays $965.20 in general rates. Properties are revalued every year by a valuer appointed by the Valuer-General.
Municipal charge
$356 per rateable property (2026–27)Up $9 (2.59%) from $347. A flat charge towards the council's administrative costs; it is inside the rate cap.
Kerbside & waste charges (2026–27, outside the rate cap)
$532 for a 140-litre rubbish, recycling and FOGO service; waste facilities management charge $112Kerbside charges range from $333 (80-litre rubbish + recycling) to $570 (240-litre rubbish + recycling + FOGO); $365 for 140-litre rubbish + recycling without FOGO. The budget says kerbside charges rise by close to 7.5% because of higher fuel costs expected to be passed on by the council's waste contractors. The waste facilities management charge funds the Corryong landfill and the Resource Recovery Centres. Waste charges are set to recover the full cost of the service.
Due dates
Four instalments: 30 Sep, 30 Nov, 28 Feb, 31 MayReminder notices are sent for the second, third and fourth instalments. The budget says ratepayers can also pay annually or enter monthly or fortnightly payment plans. Pay by BPAY / Post Billpay, in person at the Tallangatta or Corryong offices, or by mail.
Interest on late payments
Up to 10% a yearThe adopted budget says interest on overdue rates and charges will be charged at up to a maximum of 10% under the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983. Your notice shows the rate applied.
Pensioner concession
Apply with the Municipal Rates Concession formFor holders of a Centrelink or DVA Pensioner Concession Card or an eligible DVA Gold Card, on their principal place of residence (one property only). The concession is a Victorian Government scheme; see the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing page or call its Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521.
Help if you're struggling to pay
Payment plans or deferment under the council's Financial Hardship PolicyThe council says the policy allows payment plans or deferment 'without interest being applied'. Call the Property and Rates team on 1300 365 222.
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. The council has a page on the levy and says it opposes its impact on rural communities.
Disagree with your valuation?
Object within two months 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 other properties at the annual revaluation. Figures are from the council's adopted 2026–27 Budget; the council's Rates page still links a 2025–26 'Your Rates Explained' flyer and uses an older rate in its worked example, so 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.