Murrindindi Council is proposing to not introduce a rate rise for the 2020-21 year.

Shire Chief Executive Officer Craig Lloyd made the announcement at a special Council meeting held by videoconferencing last Wednesday afternoon (Apr. 15).

Mr Lloyd said that he hoped that the zero rate rise would hopefully provide some quick relief for the community.

The Council says it is also looking at what it can do to support the community in the coming financial year.

Officers will propose that Council adopts a range of new measures to help the community while still maintaining, and in some cases enhancing, critical services, he said.

“Most significantly, officers will propose that Council adopt a draft budget with a 0 per centproperty rate rise for the coming financial year – even though the Victorian Government has set the cap on rate increases at 2 per cent,” Mr Lloyd said.

“If adopted by Council, the only variations residents will see on their rate bills will be due to:
• changes in property valuations (as set by the Victorian State Government) as at January 1,
• waste and recycling charges (based on cost recovery) including the landfill levy, and the Fire Services Property Levy. Both of these levies are set by the State Government.

“In an effort to support business recovery, officers will also propose that Council agrees to remove the 25 per cent premium differential rate paid by commercial and industrial property owners for 2020-2`1,” said a Council statement.

“Officers are also proposing that the draft budget include a substantial relief and recovery package, by drawing down on $500,000 remaining from the 2009 bushfire government assistance funds, provided by the State Government to Council to support its ongoing operations and which is currently held in reserve.

“These funds will be made available for initiatives to support community and business recovery in our Shire during the 2020-21 financial year,” the statement said.