Ratepayers to receive 2025/26 rates notices
Published on 08 August 2025
Council rates and valuation notices will shortly begin arriving in letterboxes and email inboxes across the Hepburn Shire.
General rates and charges are Council’s biggest revenue stream, making up around 66 per cent of income. Council rates are 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 that Council understands 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,” said Cr Don Henderson.
Council provides 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:
- a maximum concession of $266 for general rates
- $50 for the ESVF
- $42 pension rebate by Council towards rates and charges for eligible pensioner concession cardholders (doubled from 2024/25).
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.
Council was successful in its application for a total rate rise of 10% for 2025/26 which includes a 7 per cent increase to the existing per cent rate cap that was announced on 23 December 2024 by the Minister for Local Government. The additional 7% rate rise will on average equate to an additional $2.20 per property per week but will 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 1 January. It is important to understand that the increase for each ratepayer won't be exactly 10 per cent, as it varies based on individual property valuations.
Community members can object to the Valuer General property valuation. More information on submitting an objection is available on Council’s website at https://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/property.
Council has provided information on rates via our website Rates and property.