Farm rates held back for drought relief discount

THE Surf Coast Shire will hold back on sending out its rates notices for farm land as it works to implement the Victorian government rebate.

State funding will be provided to 11 councils in drought impacted local government areas, allowing them to apply a 40 per cent discount on rates notices for farm land.

The Primary Producer Support Payments are designed to provide cashflow payments to those 11 municipalities that have experienced the effects of drought the longest.

Councils will receive a lump sum payment to support primary producers and are responsible for distributing the funds.

There are about 1,000 properties in the Surf Coast Shire eligible for the discount, with mayor Mike Bodsworth saying the rebate is welcome.

“We understand the major challenges farmers in the Surf Coast Shire continue to face,” he said.

“Despite recent rain, rainfall this year remains well below average, and the impacts of the drought will be felt by our farming community for a long time.

“This initiative from the Victorian government is helpful during a very difficult period.”

The shire has also voted to freeze average farm rate payments at 2024-25 levels, as part of a series of measures put in place to support the community.

Rates for residential and commercial/industrial properties were issued last week.