Victoria’s 79 local councils have until 31 March 2019 to apply for a rate increase above the 2.50 per cent cap set by the Minister for Local Government, the Hon Adem Somyurek MLC.
The minister has announced the average rate cap, which is the maximum percentage increase allowable in councils’ average rates for the forthcoming financial year.
If any council considers the average rate cap is insufficient for its needs, the council can apply to the Essential Services Commission for a higher cap.
The Victorian Government established the rate cap under the Fair Go Rates system in 2015 to address concerns over increasing rates.
A council seeking to increase rates above the minister’s cap has to demonstrate community engagement and a long-term funding need, supported by good long-term financial planning.
We recently released our 2018-19 council compliance report, which shows that most councils were compliance with the average rate cap or higher cap during that financial year.
