Shire rates rise ‘worst’

GOLDEN Plains Shire had the largest rates increases in the state over the past 10 years, according to new State Government figures.
The rural shire’s annual increase averaged 8.9 per cent, compared to the state-wide average of 5.99 per cent.
Surf Coast Shire was also above the state average at 6.5 per cent.
The City of Greater Geelong and the Borough of Queenscliffe were below at 5.3 and 5.4 per cent respectively.
The Government released the figures ahead of its cap on rate rises from next year.
Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins said the state-wide increase of almost 6 per cent was an unfair and unsustainable burden on ratepayers.
Victorian Local Governance Association’s Sebastian Klein said rural councils would suffer because they had fewer rateable properties but a lot of roads and infrastructure that needed repairs.