Why we're consulting

Under the Local Government Act 2020, the council is required to have a Revenue and Rating Plan.

At the council meeting on Monday, May 15, the Revenue and Rating Plan reference group presented the Draft Wodonga Revenue and Rating Plan 2023-24 to 2027-28 to councillors.

The Draft Wodonga Revenue and Rating Plan 2023-24 to 2027-28 incorporates Wodonga Council’s Rating Strategy and sets out a plan for the equitable imposition of rates and charges.

The council is now seeking feedback from the community on the draft document.

Background information

A Revenue and Rating Plan is the document and process by which the council systematically considers the factors of importance that inform its decisions about the rating system.

The rating system determines how a council will raise money from properties within the municipality. It does not influence the total amount of money to be raised, only the share of revenue contributed by each property. The rating system comprises a valuation base and actual rating instruments that are used to calculate an individual property owners’ liability for rates.

A review of the Revenue and Rating Plan was undertaken in 2014 and did not result in any significant changes to the document current at the time. A further review in 2019 resulted in the addition of a one-off rebate for new energy-efficient properties.

At its ordinary August 2022 meeting, Council approved a process to review the current Revenue and Rating Plan and the creation of a Revenue and Rating Plan from 2023-2024, including the establishment of a Revenue and Rating Plan Reference Group.

Outline of process

  1. Establish a Revenue and Rating Plan Reference Group (RRPRG) with representation from a cross section of rate-paying stakeholders. Classified as an advisory committee. Develop terms of reference. Completed
  2. Seek and appoint Reference Group members through a public process. Completed
  3. Provide background material to the RRPRG and further information as needed. Completed
  4. RRPRG to provide input into the Revenue and Rating Plan and submit a report to Council including recommendations. Completed
  5. Council to consider the recommendations of the RRPRG and publicly consult on the Draft Revenue and Rating Plan. Report to May 2023 Council meeting.
  6. Community feedback to be presented to Council.
  7. Council to adopt the Revenue and Rating Plan 2023-2024 to 2026-2027. The RRPRG performs an advisory function by providing input and feedback on the current Plan in the form of a report. See attachment 1.

The RRPRG was not requested to formally vote on, or endorse, this plan in total or in part. Its input and feedback, however, provides a critical source of community input into the concepts and strategies outlined in the document.

In addition, the RRPRG considered and provided feedback on a range of other issues, which are detailed in their report which also includes a recommendation on differential rates.

The following table summarises the current and proposed rate differentials by category.

* The proposed approximate rate share is based on the valuations received from the Valuer General on April 30, 2023.

The RRPRG recommends reinstating the equal treatment of all vacant land, setting a floor for the rural farming and development use categories regardless of valuation movements, reinstating the equal treatment of rural non-farm properties with residential properties, and reducing commercial and industrial land categories back to the original rate over the medium-term regardless of valuation movements.

Overall, the RRPRG recommends that the council consider the setting of its rating strategy, the differential rating categories and the level of differentials to achieve a balanced and equitable outcome for ratepayers.

This should include, among others, consideration of the need for rates stability and predictability of individual rates, minimisation of rates shock and distribution of overall rating burden between the rating categories. This does not exclude changes to the distribution where new properties come to market.

Document Library

Ways to have your say

Ways to have your say

This consultation is open from Wednesday, May 17 to Tuesday, June 13.

Anyone who lives, works, studies or invests in Wodonga or visits the municipality and uses the facilities, is invited to review the information provided, ask questions and provide feedback during this time.

Ways to provide feedback