Welcome

The Victorian Government is committed to the financial sustainability of councils and wants to ensure local government rates are fair and equitable for all of the community.

An independent panel is now reviewing all aspects of Victoria’s local government rating system. Their report will be submitted to the Minister for Local Government by 31 March 2020.

Read the Discussion Paper and the supplementary information (including information on rates in a range of languages, at the Know Your Council website). Explore the FAQs and Fact Sheets.

Written submissions and the online survey have now closed. Submissions are being uploaded to this page (see below) over the coming days.

More information will be added to this site as the work of the Panel progresses.

You can follow the progress of the Review by clicking on the 'Follow' button under the heading at the top of the page.

How rates work

PowerPoint Presentation - Public Forums

View the presentation made by the Panel in public forums between August-October 2019
Presentation - Rating Review Public Forums
MS Powerpoint (9.80 MB)

Local Government Submissions to the Rating Review

Submissions made to the Rating Review by local councils will be uploaded below over the coming days.
Alpine Shire Submission - Rating Review
PDF (100.19 KB)
Ararat City Council Submission - Rating Review
PDF (3.64 MB)
Baw Baw Shire Council Submission - Rating Review
PDF (99.55 KB)

Individual Submissions to the Rating Review

Submissions provided as an attachment to the Submission Form will be uploaded below. (Responses to the Submission Form will also be uploaded to the website shortly). Please note that to protect the privacy of submitters, all personal information (such as names and addresses) has been removed from the submissions. You can check if your submission attachment was received by looking at the Individual Submissions document at the top of the list.
Individual Submissions made to the Rating Review
PDF (51.98 KB)
1. Public Submission - Rating Review
PDF (95.78 KB)
2. Public Submission - Rating Review
PDF (523.77 KB)

Quick survey

Please complete the short survey below to provide feedback on the rating system to the Rating Review Panel. The survey should take no more than 2 minutes. You may also provide a longer written submission via the link at the bottom of this page.

All information provided will be handled in accordance with the Victorian Government privacy policy (see the Privacy link at the bottom of the page).


1. Do you currently pay council rates on a property? Required

(Please note, this does not include council fees or fines such as parking fines).

3. How well do you understand the information on your council's rates notice? Required
Not at all
A little
I understand some parts
Well
Very well
I do not pay rates
Select one
4. Which of the following best describes how your council's rates are set? Required
5. Have you ever given feedback to your council on rates? Required

(For example, through social media, a phone call, letter, formal submission, or meeting?)

6. What type of property do you pay council rates on? Required
7. In a fair rating system, what properties should pay rates? Select your preferred option below. Required
8. In a fair rating system how should property rates be applied? Select your preference below. Required
You have 500 characters left.
10.Please indicate your age: Required

The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.

Submissions

The Panel encourages you to have your say on the Rating Review through the forms linked below. Click on the relevant link to provide your comments. The General Submissions page is for the general public, individuals and stakeholder groups. The Local Government Submissions page asks some specific and technical questions relevant to these organisations. Submissions will be published on this website.

Collection Notice

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is committed to protecting personal information provided by you in accordance with the principles of the Victorian privacy laws.

DELWP will use the information collected to inform you of future consultation processes relating to the Rating Review as well as progress updates on the work of the Review Panel. Your contact details may also be used by DELWP to update you on the results of the Review consultation.

We will not disclose your personal information outside of DELWP without your consent, except where required to do so by law.

If you do not wish to provide your personal information we will not be able to inform you of future consultation, or identify your submission if you wish to access it, make a correction or require technical support.

You may contact us to request access to your personal information, or regarding other concerns regarding the privacy of your personal information at rating.review@delwp.vic.gov.au