Easing financial burdens on farmers and ratepayers was a key focus of Surf Coast Shire’s latest budget, but not everyone was happy with council’s commitments.
Council adopted its 2025-26 Budget and 2025-29 Revenue and Rating Plan, which included a 3 percent rate rise, during its June 24, meeting.
Following community feedback, farmland rate differentials were reduced from 75 to 64 percent, while commercial/industrial lands dropped from 190 to 165 percent to provide temporary relief measures.
Councillor Adrian Schonfelder said he felt that the farmland rate should have been dropped to 55 percent to help drought-impacted farmers.
“I do not believe any council should increase rates during a declared drought in their area, and the state government should intervene,” he said.
“There is an addiction to spending and I feel that perhaps we need to tighten our belts across the whole expenditure realm of the budget.
“There is a $2.1 million surplus in the budget. I understand that is being planned for future expenditure that’s coming up in relation to the Anglesea transfer station, but the drought is extraordinary circumstances.”
New and existing projects, such as Torquay’s Spring Creek Recreation Reserve and Wurdi Baierr Aquatic and Recreation Centre, will benefit from $52.65 million allocated for capital works.
Cr Liz Pattison said there had been a lot of consideration of the shire’s differentials to ensure equity and fairness for all ratepayers.
“This budget sets our investment in an exciting range of new and renewed facilities, planning for future liveability and a strong focus on core services,” she said.
“It has come about to reflect a fair and equitable distribution of rates considering the drought and economic impacts that ratepayers in our community are currently facing.
“Council does have a hardship policy, and I really encourage those that are experiencing difficulty in paying their rates to contact council to confidentially discuss alternative payment arrangements.”
Ratepayers will also be impacted by the state government’s emergency services and volunteers fund levy, effective from July 1, despite the council’s previous objections.
