THE community impact of the Mitchell Shire Council Budget 2026-27 will see higher council charges throughout 2026-27, with rates capped at 2.75 per cent, in line with the Victorian Government’s Fair Go Rates cap.
Under the Fair Go Rates cap, it is the maximum rise for rates for 2026-27.
Mitchell Shire Council outlined how the system works for this financial year.
“In developing the Financial Plan, rates and charges are identified as an important source of revenue, accounting for 32% of the total revenue received by Council annually. Forecasting for future rate increases has therefore been an important component of the Financial Plan process. The State Government Fair Go Rates System (FGRS) sets out the maximum amount councils may increase rates in a year. For 2026-2027 the FGRS cap has been set at 2.75%. The cap applies to both general rates and municipal charges and is calculated based on Council’s average rates and charges,” they wrote.
The biggest impact for residents will be felt when waste charges are factored in, with council factoring in an 11.0 per cent rise in overall waste income.
According to the Budget document, rates and charges for 2026-2027 are projected to be $76.75 million, which includes $1.86 million that is generated from supplementary rates.
The waste service charges are also set to jump, from $13.19 million to $15.48 million, which is an increase of 17 per cent.
This, council says, is due to increasing waste management costs and changes across the waste sector, while the significant population growth and development have been taken into consideration for supplementary rate rises.
“The level of required rates and charges has been considered in this context, with reference to Council’s other sources of income and planned expenditure on services and works to be undertaken for the Mitchell Shire Community,” council wrote in its Budget document.
