Rates FAQs

For most properties your total rates will be made up of three parts – a charge based on the property’s rating differential (council rates), the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy, and a waste charge or charges.

The council rates of a property are determined by multiplying its Capital Improved Value (CIV) by a rating differential.

The waste charge is one (or more) fixed charges, depending on whether the property is vacant, improved, or has access to kerbside collections.

The rating differentials and waste charges are determined by council as part of its budget process, the total amount of rates that council can raise is governed by a Rates Cap that is set by the Victorian Government.

The ESVF levy is typically made up of two parts, a fixed charge and a variable portion that is calculated based on the property’s CIV. These amounts are set by the Victorian Government – council acts as a collection agency and does not receive any revenue from these charges.

More information about these charges can be found below.

Rates can be paid annually by a lump sum or in instalments.

If paying in full, payment must be received by 15 February each year. Ratepayers wishing to pay by instalments need to have the first instalment paid by 30 September each year, otherwise the payment must be made in full by 15 February each year.

Instalment due dates are:

•  First instalment due 30 September
•  Second instalment due 30 November
•  Third instalment due 28 February
•  Fourth instalment due 31 May

Unpaid rates will incur interest at 10.0%.

Property valuations are determined by independent professional valuers who are appointed by the Valuer General Victoria. The value is determined by actual sales of similar properties in your area.

If the property market sees properties for selling for high or low prices, those sales will be reflected in the next valuation cycle of your home.

No, if you feel the valuation is inaccurate or unreasonable you can make an objection to the valuation.

It is a simple process, however, has strict timelines attached by law. Ratepayers can object to their valuation within two months of receiving their annual rates notice.

Find out more about objecting to your rate notice.

Rates help fund infrastructure and services such as the maintenance and renewal of local roads, street lighting, drainage and footpaths, as well as maternal and child health, and environmental health.

Council pays for the maintenance and upkeep of playgrounds and other community infrastructure, as well as economic development and tourism services within the Shire.

The Victorian Government's Fair Go Rates system means councils are not allowed to increase their overall rate revenue by more than the annual CPI cap. The cap is applied to the overall rate revenue collected by each Council, not individual properties.

We have a rating differential scheme that applies different rates to each property based on what it is being used for.

The Revenue and Rating Plan sets out the rules for each differential(PDF, 719KB)  to ensure it is transparent and equitable for each property owner.

Every year Council determines how much revenue is required to be raised by rates, and divides this across the total values of all rateable properties to establish a general rate. The differentials are a percentage of this general rate.

The rate in the dollar is then applied against each individual property value to calculate how much each property owner pays.

Rating categories for the 2025/26 year are:

For example

Ms Smith owns a house that was valued at $250,000.

For a general residential property, the rate is 0.263237 cents in the dollar.

Ms Smith would pay $658.09 in general rates ($250,000 x 0.00263237 = $658.09).

If you still have questions about the calculation method for your property, please make contact with us.

Council also charges for waste services. These services include having your waste collected from your property, the use of transfer stations around the Shire, and environmental levies that Council must contribute to.

After Black Saturday in 2009, the Royal Commission looked to change how the fire authorities were funded. In 2013/14 councils were requested to collect the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF), (previously the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL).) This levy ensures all property owners are contributing to the fire authorities, not just those who have household insurance. This charge is set by the Victorian Government and is not subject to the rate cap. Council collects this money and passes it to the State Revenue Office quarterly.

Of course we can – our team is here to assist you. See what options are available for you here.

Of course, we would love to hear from you! Council reviews its Budget(PDF, 1MB) and Revenue and Rating Plan(PDF, 719KB) before to June 30 each year and public consultation is part of the process!

We welcome all feedback about the Budget and related documents and take that feedback on board where we can.

We do not currently charge a Municipal Charge.

If you operate a farming enterprise of significant or substantial commercial character on your Pyrenees property, you are welcome to complete and submit an Application for Farm Rate(PDF, 557KB) .  Please note, this rate is intended for commercial farming operations and not hobby farms.

ESVF SFE Application Form here(PDF, 533KB).

For any questions about the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, go here.