Property rates and charges explained

The rates you pay, combined with service fees and charges and grant revenue from State and Federal Governments, help fund services and infrastructure throughout our municipality.

View the 2021 Revenue and Rating Plan here. 

How are my rates calculated?

Council bases its rate calculation on the Capital Improved Value (CIV) of each individual property.  The formula for calculating general rates, excluding any additional charges or arrears, is as follows:

General Rates = CIV x Rate in the CIV Dollar

The rate in the CIV dollar is set by Council as part of its annual budget process and may include differential rates for different types of properties.

2024/25 Rate Calculator(XLSX, 48KB)

What is a differential rate?

A differential rate is determined by the primary use of the property. Each category has a different rate in the dollar for the rate calculation, creating a fairer distribution of rates across properties within the municipality. 

On some occasions, a property may have multiple uses which, may result in a second rateable assessment being created for the property.

Council has set the following differential rates which are explained in summary. Full differential rate definitions can be found in Council's annual budget.

Please get in touch with the team if you have any queries regarding your rates.

What are the other charges on my rates notice?

Garbage and Recycling Charges Explained

Garbage and Recycling Charges

Some areas across the municipality are in declared compulsory garbage areas, whilst others can elect to receive the garbage and recycling service (non-compulsory area).  For further information regarding waste management services, please contact Council’s Waste Management Service Team.

Waste Management Service Charge Explained

Waste Management Service Charge

This charge is applied to all rateable properties and covers the costs of:

  • Supplying and servicing all street, park, and reserve litter bins

  • Collection of loose litter, rubbish spills, etc (shire wide) as requested/advised by ratepayers/residents

  • Mechanical sweeping of roads, channels, and footpaths to reduce litter and waste

  • Compliance costs to enforce laws relating to littering and dumping of waste

  • Transfer Station Infrastructure

State Landfill Levy Explained

State Landfill Levy 

The State Landfill Levy is a State Government imposed a levy on refuse sent to landfill. The Moorabool Shire Council charge is based on actual tonnage delivered to landfill. The State Government will invest the funds raised by the levy to help businesses, councils, households, and communities address waste and its environmental impacts.

Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) Charges Explained

Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) Charges

 The State Government passed legislation following the Bushfire Royal Commission to have the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) charged via council rates notice, rather than added to home insurance policies from 1 July 2013.

Under this system, all homeowners will pay the FSPL, rather than just those who have insurance and the levy will be based on a fixed charge and a variable charge based on property value, rather than the level of insurance a homeowner purchases. The State Government uses the money raised from the FSPL to fund the MFB and CFA, which provides fire and rescue services.

Under this system, a number of organisations exempt from municipal rates will contribute to the levy, as a rateable property.

Eligible pensioners and Veterans will get a $50 concession per household from the levy and the GST and stamp duty which was being charged on fire service levies under insurance policies will be abolished. For more information, visit the State Revenue Office’s FSPL website at http://www.firelevy.vic.gov.au or the SRO’s website http://www.sro.vic.gov.au.

Differential rates 

General - Level 1.0:

Any land:

  • On which a dwelling is lawfully erected and occupied for the principal purpose of physically accommodating persons; and
  • Which does not have the characteristics of:
    • Commercial/Industrial Land;
    • Vacant Commercial/Industrial Land;
    • Extractive Industry Land;
    • Farm Land;
    • Residential Retirement Land;
    • Vacant Land General;
    • Vacant Farming Zone (FZ) or Rural Conservation Zone (RCZ) Land; or
    • Vacant General Residential Zone (GRZ) Land.

 

Residential Retirement - Level 0.90:

Any land:

  • Which is defined as a Retirement Village land under the Retirement Villages Act 1986.

 

Commercial/Industrial - Level 1.5:

Any land which is lawfully used:

  • For the purpose of carrying out the manufacturing or production of goods; or
  • For the purpose of carrying out trade in goods or services.

 

Vacant Commercial/Industrial - Level 2:

Any land:

  • Located within an Industrial or Commercial zone under the Moorabool planning scheme; and
  • Which is vacant; or
  • Not lawfully developed for the principal purpose of carrying out the manufacturing or production of goods or trade in goods or services; and
  • Which does not have the characteristics of General Developed land.

 

Extractive Industry - Level 3.12:

Any land:

  • Which is used primarily for the extraction or removal of minerals, earth or stone including the treatment of minerals, earth or stone; or
  • On which activities for the extraction or removal of minerals, earth, or stone including the treatment of minerals earth or stone have been discontinued but which has not yet been rehabilitated to environmental standards as required by law.

 

Farm - Level 0.78:

Any land:

  • Which is “farmland” within the meaning of section 2(1) of the Valuation of Land Act 1960.

Click here for more information and to apply for a farm rate

 

Vacant Land General - Level 2:

Any land:

  • On which no building is lawfully erected; and
  • Which does not have the characteristics of;
  • Vacant Commercial/Industrial Land; or
  • Vacant FZ or RCZ Land; or
  • Vacant GRZ Land.

 

Vacant Land FZ or RCZ - Level 1.0:

Any land:

  • On which no building is lawfully erected; and
  • Which is located within the Farm Zone (FZ) or Rural Conservation Zone (RCZ) under the Moorabool Planning Scheme; and
  • Which does not have the characteristics of Farm Land.

 

Vacant Land GRZ - Level 2:

Any land:

  • On which no dwelling is lawfully erected; and
  • Which is located within the General Residential Zone (GRZ) under the Moorabool Planning Scheme.

 

Council has an adopted Cultural and Recreational Land Policy which allows for partial rate waivers for properties that meet the criteria of the Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963.

Recreational groups that are currently rated should contact our Revenue Services Team to discuss this option.

Related information

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