Rates and valuations explained

Accurate valuations of properties are a critical means of ensuring that property owners pay their fair share of rates. Properties with higher market value attract higher rates than properties of a lesser value.

Property valuations are critical to the administration of Victoria's Local Government. Councils use property valuations as the basis of their rate collection, helping to fund the services your Council provides to you and other ratepayers and residents.

Because property values change, general valuations of all properties in the municipality are undertaken on a regular basis.

Valuations are carried out every year by a qualified valuer, and are based on the Capital Improved Value (CIV). This reflects the total market value of your land plus any improvements such as your house, other buildings and landscaping.

Valuations are determined by analysis of local property sales and rental evidence, which is then applied to the data on each particular property. Information is compiled on each property over time, through inspection, building and planning permits and other public sources.

The most recent revaluation has a base date of January 2019 and was based on the property market at this time. It has been used to calculate the 2019/2020 Council rates.

For more details see Council valuations on the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure website.

Your rates are based on the Capital Improved Value (CIV) of your property. The rates in the dollar, in the table below, are multiplied by the CIV to determine your rates charge. For example, a residential property with a valuation of $350,000 would pay $1,240.40 in rates, plus waste charges and fire services property levy.

This charge provides for the waste collection service, the recyclable collection service and provision of landfill facilities. The 2019/2020 waste charges are:
• $628 for 140 litre general waste bin plus a 240 litre recycling bin
• $433 for an 80 litre general waste bin plus 240 litre recycling bin

How does rate capping work? from MAV on Vimeo.

How to read your rate notice and rate capping flyer explains each part of your current rate notice along with the revaluation process.

The Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) is a State Government charge that replaces the previous fire levy collected through insurance policies. Council collects the FSPL on behalf of the State Government. For more information visit www.firelevy.vic.gov.au.

A subsidised Land Management Rate is available to landholders who undertake environmental protection works on their property.

NB: Applies to private properties within the Shire that: a) were rated as a farm in the current financial year, and are over 20 hectares (49 acres) in size or b) operate a farm business.

Please read the following:
• Lodging a valuation objection
• Objection form residential
• Objection form commercial or industrial
• Objection form rural

Please contact us or submit your enquiry via our online request form and our Rates Team will be in contact.