- Minister for Local Government
The Andrews Labor Government is delivering fairer rates for Victorian households – setting the cap on Victorian council rate rises at 2 per cent.
Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek has announced the new cap, which is guided by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) forecast by the Department of Treasury and Finance for 2020-21.
The Fair Go Rates cap has been in place for four years and brought to an end a decade of council excessive rates increases, which averaged six per cent per annum.
The cap was set at 2.5 per cent in 2016-17, 2 per cent in 2017-18, 2.25 per cent in 2018-19 and 2.5 per cent in 2019-20.
The cap is also informed by the Essential Services Commission (ESC) who have recommended that it be set at CPI.
Reports by the ESC in 2019 showed that, for the first time, all 79 of Victoria’s councils had complied with the rate cap.
As a result of Fair Go Rates, annual growth in council rates has slowed and spending on capital and services has increased.
For more information on Fair Go Rates visit delwp.vic.gov.au/fairgorates.
As stated by Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek
“We said we’d protect Victorians from unfair rates hikes and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”
“Our Fair Go Rates system has put a stop to a decade of unfair, unsustainable increases that hit hard-working Victorian families.”
“Fair Go Rates is encouraging Victorian councils to improve accountability and transparency, ensuring they are listening to their communities and delivering the services that matter most.”
