In a win for the state’s ratepayers, today’s release of the Municipal Association of Victoria’s annual rates survey shows a drop in the average council rate rise, confirming state government data.
Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins said the drop in the average rates bill was a sign that Victoria’s councils were making progress towards meeting the Andrews Labor Government’s Fair Go Rates cap, beginning in 2016-17.
The MAV annual rates survey revealed that the average rate increase across Victoria’s 79 councils had dropped to a ten year low of 3.8 per cent per property – down from last year’s 4.2 per cent average rate rise.
The Labor Government’s Fair Go Rates system will require councils to cap their rate rises to inflation and be more open and accountable with the way they spend ratepayer’s money.
The plan comes after an average rate increase of 6 per cent every year, for the past fifteen years.
The framework for the Fair Go Rates system is currently being developed by the Essential Services Commission (ESC), as it consults with councils and communities alike.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins
“This is a step in the right direction. I’m pleased to see most councils doing the right thing as we head toward the 2016-17 implementation date of our Fair Go Rates system."
“We took a promise to implement a Fair Go Rates cap to the election because we listened to ratepayers who said that rate rises of 6 per cent every year, over the past fifteen years, had to stop.”
“Our Fair Go Rates system is about encouraging councils to more transparent, more accountable and more responsive to their communities' needs.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020