Victoria’s local government rating system will be “put under the microscope,” to ensure local councils are held accountable to ratepayers.
Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek today outlined timeframes and terms of reference for the review of the local government rating system.
“This is about ensuring we have a rating system that is fair, equitable and effective for all Victorians,” Somyurek said.
Victorians can put their views to the panel and participate in the review process. The panel will deliver their recommendations to government in March 2020.
For more information on the review visit localgovernment.vic.gov.au.
“The system we have now is complex and in need of review – we need a contemporary rating system that gives people a fair deal,” Samyurek said.
The review will be undertaken by an independent panel led by former Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Childrens Hospital and City of Melbourne, Dr Kathy Alexander.
The panel will examine:
- current local government rates and charges;
- current rating exemptions and concessions and their application to various classes of land, including farmland;
- the autonomy of local governments to apply a rating system that takes into account local factors; and
- current exemptions and discounts for local government rates the impacts any recommended changes would have on councils, ratepayers and residents.
The Fair Go Rates cap, which has stopped a decade of average annual six per cent increases will remain.
PHOTO: Adam Somyurek/Supplied.
