Community consultation opens on potential municipal charge

Published on 27 January 2026

Council is inviting the community to provide feedback on the potential introduction of a municipal charge to its rating structure.

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

The charge would see a fixed fee applied to all properties to support administrative and operating costs of council, with the remainder of rates being calculated based on property valuations and an existing waste charge. Currently rates are determined based on property valuations and a waste charge.

Under this structure, some properties may see a decrease in rates while others may see an increase.

To help residents understand the potential impact to them, Council has prepared a suite of resources, including a rating calculator and an explainer video. These tools allow residents to estimate their rates with and without the proposed charge and better understand how a municipal charge works.

Mayor Cr Steve Venditti-Taylor said it is vitally important that the community make their views clear. 

“Introducing a municipal charge would affect sections of the community differently. That’s why it’s so important that everyone has their say, so we can make an informed decision for Moorabool residents,” Cr Venditti-Taylor said.

“Help us determine the fairest way to distribute the rating burden in Moorabool.”

Feedback can be submitted via Council’s Have Your Say platform until 17 February 2026. All input will be considered as part of the 2026/27 budget process. 

Further details, including some examples on how the change might affect individual ratepayers living in different areas of the shire and belonging to different rate categories, are available here