August 13th, 2025Rate hike coming to your mailbox

Hepburn Shire Council rates and valuation notices will shortly begin arriving in letterboxes and email inboxes across the shire.
A council media release said general rates and charges were council’s biggest revenue stream, making up around 66 per cent of income and used to fund a wide range of essential services and infrastructure that support the local community.
“This includes the maintenance of roads, footpaths, along with waste collection, recycling, and drainage works. Rates also help provide and maintain parks, playgrounds and libraries. They support local planning and development services, and environmental sustainability initiatives.
“This year, rate notices will feature a new layout, with a clear separation between council charges and the Victorian Government’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF). This change aims to improve transparency and help residents better understand how their rates are allocated.
“Council continues to oppose the ESVF. Council has previously written to the Treasurer and Minister for Local Government expressing that the levy has a disproportionate financial burden on rural and regional communities, in particular primary producers.
“Council will continue to advocate for the shire and join the many other councils opposing the levy. Community members with questions about the ESVF are encouraged to contact the State Government’s State Revenue Office on 1300 819 033.
“Residents are encouraged to read their notice and accompanying material carefully. The information provided outlines total rates and charges, along with a range of payment options.”
Mayor, Cr Don Henderson, said the council understood that some households may be experiencing financial hardship.
“A range of support and assistance options are available to help ensure you can manage your rates payments. We know that cost of living pressures are affecting many in our community.
“We want to assure ratepayers that help is available. If you are having difficulty, please do not hesitate to reach out as we are here to support you.”

Cr Brian Hood said despite his repeated and strong pleas, the council had chosen not to proactively forewarn ratepayers of the combined impact of the ESC-approved increase and higher property valuations.
“Instead, the narrative of a 10 per cent increase has been doggedly adhered to. The absence of informative material from the council accentuates what will be false expectations among many ratepayers and deep concerns.
“In short, 72 per cent of ratepayers will incur a year-on-year increase in rates greater than 10 per cent, 26 per cent of ratepayers will incur a year-on-year increase in rates up to 10 per cent, and 2 per cent will see a decrease.
“The average increase across the shire on rates alone is a 12.75 per cent increase.”
The council media release said the council provided eligible pensioners with a number of concessions (those holding a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or Veteran’s Affairs Gold Card (TPI & War Widow)). For 2025/26 the pensioner concession is up to $358 and includes: a maximum concession of $266 for general rates; $50 for the ESVF; and $42 pension rebate by the council towards rates and charges for eligible pensioner concession cardholders.
“The waste service charges and kerbside collection fees remain unchanged in 2025/26, and residents using the food and garden organics service will benefit from a $40 reduction in their annual charges.
“The council was successful in its application for a total rate rise of 10 per cent for 2025/26 which includes a 7 per cent increase to the existing per cent rate cap that was announced on December 23 last year by the Minister for Local Government.
“The increase for each ratepayer won’t be exactly 10 per cent, as it varies based on individual property valuations.
“The additional 7 per cent rate rise will on average equate to an additional $2.20 per property per week and generate $1.36 million to invest in programs and services.”
Rates are calculated using property valuations that are independently determined by the Valuer General each year on January 1. Community members can object to the Valuer General property valuation. Link: www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/property

Words: Donna Kelly