Shire wants opinions on municipal charge

MOORABOOL ratepayers are being invited to comment on the possibility of a municipal charge being introduced to the Shire’s rating structure.

They can submit feedback on the Shire’s Have Your Say digital engagement platform until 17 February.

All input will be considered as part of the council’s 2026-27 budget process.

A municipal charge does not change the total amount of rates collected; it changes how the total raised is shared across properties.

If a charge is introduced, it would result in a fixed fee applied to all properties to support administrative and operating costs of the council.

Remaining rate revenue would be calculated based on property valuations and an existing waste charge, the way they are now, but with some properties possibly seeing a decrease in rates and others an increase.

The Shire has prepared a suite of resources to help residents understand potential impacts of a municipal charge including a rate calculator and an explanatory video.

They allow ratepayers to estimate their rates with and without the proposed charge, and also better understand how a municipal charge works.

Moorabool mayor Cr Steve Venditti-Taylor said it was vitally important that people make their views clear.

“Introducing a municipal charge would affect sections of the community differently,” he said.

“That’s why it’s so important that everyone has their say, so we can make an informed decision for Moorabool residents. Help us determine the fairest way to distribute the rating burden in Moorabool.”

More information, including examples on how the introduction of a municipal charge could affect ratepayers in different areas of the shire and belonging to different rate categories is available on the Shire’s Have Your Say platform. Click on the ‘Investigation of a Municipal Charge’ project button.