A summary of how we're conducting community engagement for the Revenue and Rating Plan:

Project objective

The Revenue and Rating Pan outlines the assumptions, policy, and decisions of Council in relation to generating the required income to effectively support implementation of the Council Plan and budget for a four-year period. The plan also considers what rating options are available to Council under the Local Government Act 1989 and how Council’s choices in applying these options contribute towards meeting an equitable rating strategy.

Following Council’s in-principle approval of the proposed Revenue and Rating Plan on 29 April 2025, community members and project stakeholders are encouraged to provide their feedback between 1 and 21 May 2025 for the consideration of Council.

Community consultation on this Plan is being conducted in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020 and Council’s Community and Stakeholder Engagement Policy 2021.

Project impacts

The focus of the Revenue and Rating Plan is very different to that which is discussed in the Financial Plan/Annual Budget. In these latter documents the key concern is the quantum of rates required to be raised for Council to deliver the services and capital expenditure required. In the Revenue and Rating Plan, the focus instead is on how this quantum will be equitably distributed amongst Council’s ratepayers.

The Rating Plan considers the limited range of rating options available to Council under the Local Government Act 1989 including the following:

  • The choice of which valuation base to be utilised (of the three available choices under the Act).
  • The consideration of uniform rating versus differential rates for various classes of property.
  • The most equitable level of differential rating across the property classes.
  • The application of fixed service charges for the areas of waste collection and municipal administration.
  • The application of special rates and charges.
  • A review of the rate payment dates and options available to Council.

Council has established a rating structure comprised of three key elements. These are:

  • General Rates – Based on property values (using the Capital Improved Valuation methodology), which are indicative of capacity to pay and form the central basis of rating under the Local Government Act 1989;
  • Service Charges - A ‘user pays’ component for council services to reflect benefits provided by Council to ratepayers who benefit from a service; and
  • Municipal Charge - A ‘fixed rate” portion per property to cover some of the administrative costs of Council.

What information do we need from the community?

We are engaging with our community to seek feedback on Council’s proposed Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-26 to 2028-29.

What can the community influence?

  • Use of limited range of rating options available to Council, noting that there are no recommended changes to Council’s current approach.

What can’t the community influence?

  • Legislative requirements under the Local Government Act 2020 and Local Government Act 1989.
  • Requirement for Council to adopt a Revenue and Rating Plan by 30 June 2025 following a local government election.
  • Council operations, resource allocation and projects Council has resolved to deliver

Stakeholders and community

This stakeholder assessment is a generalised understanding of sections of the community that have a connection to the project or matter. This information is used to understand the types of tools and techniques that will achieve the strongest and most effective outcomes for engagement and communication.

  • Impact: What level of change the stakeholder / community segment may experience as a result of the project / matter
  • Interest: What level of interest has been expressed or is anticipated
  • Influence: Reference to the IAP2 Spectrum

Stakeholder / community

Impact

Interest

Influence

General Bayside community

L

L

Consult

Individual community members with broad interests in the business of Council and governance

L

H

Consult

Stakeholder groups/associations/organisations

L

L

Consult

Local businesses/traders

L

L

Consult

Selected tools and techniques

The tools and techniques selected for this project are informed by the project content, stakeholders and type of feedback sought.

Key tools for communicating the project

  • Email notification to Have Your Say members
  • Council website and e-newsletter, This Week in Bayside

Key methods for gathering feedback

  • Have Your Say project webpage, including feedback forms and opportunities to ask questions
  • In-person, post, phone and email correspondence.

Decision-making process

Following the close of community engagement on 21 May 2025, community and stakeholder feedback will be considered and amendments made to the proposed Revenue and Rating Plan, required.

Council will consider a report on community engagement on the Revenue and Rating Plan at its 3 June briefing meeting and is expected to adopt a Revenue and Rating Plan 2025/26-28/29 at its meeting on 17 June 2025. The agenda for this meeting will be available to view here when published on 11 June 2025.

Interested community members will also have an opportunity to request to be heard at the Council meeting on 17 June 2025 and speak to Council at the meeting or provide a written statement which will be published in the meeting agenda.

Under the Local Government Act 2020, Council must adopt a Revenue and Rating Plan by 30 June, following a Local Government Election.

More information

For more information about this project please contact Bill Shanahan, Finance Manager, on 03 9599 4340 or bshanahan@bayside.vic.gov.au

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