Findings of the rates and services survey undertaken by Council are available via the link at the right.

The survey was conducted as part of a community engagement process to inform Council about the community's preferences for covering a projected shortfall in funding.

Currently, Councils in Victoria are operating under a cap imposed by the Victorian Government that limits their capacity to raise rates above a level set each year by the Local Government Minister.

In December last year Council resolved to notify the Essential Services Commission (ESC) of its intention to apply for a rates variation above the cap of 2.5 per cent set by the Minister.

Before making a final decision on whether to proceed with an application to vary rates above the cap Council resolved to engage with the community to obtain additional information that will inform a final decision.

The survey asked the community to consider the full range of council services; the cost of providing those services; the importance of the services; whether some services should be reduced; and, alternative funding options for services in the event of a funding shortfall.