View higher cap applications we have received for the 2025-26 rating year
2025 higher cap applications
Overview
We assess or reject applications for council rate caps higher than the cap set by the Minister for Local Government each year.
In 2025, we received two applications to exceed the 3.0 per cent council rate cap set by the Minister for Local Government for 2025–26 from Hepburn Shire Council and Indigo Shire Council.
Higher caps applied for and approved
The following table outlines the higher caps that were sought (including minister's rate cap) for each financial year, and what we approved.
| Applied for: | Approved: | ||
| Council | Date application received | 2025-26 | 2025-26 |
| Hepburn Shire Council | 6 March 2025 (Amended application received 19 March 2025) | 10% | 10% |
| Indigo Shire Council | 27 March 2025 | 7.54% | 7.54% |
View our final decision papers
Hepburn Shire Council
Response to request for information
CT Management technical analysis
12 May 2025
We asked CT Management to look at Hepburn Shire Council’s financial sustainability and provide us with advice to inform our assessment. CT Management’s report reflects its technical analysis and views, based on Hepburn Shire Council’s application, accompanying financial model and publicly available financial reports.
(pdf, 779.08 KB)