To determine the most appropriate and affordable revenue and rating approach, councils in Victoria are now required under the Local Government Act 2020 to prepare a Revenue and Rating Plan that covers a minimum period of four years following each council election.
Wodonga Council’s current strategy that covers the way council distributes the rates burden across the ratepayer group is the Wodonga Rating Strategy 2019.
The current strategy was developed through extensive consultation, including a Rating Strategy Reference Group made up of seven ratepayer representatives and two Councillors. The group’s report was presented to the January 2019 council meeting and placed on public exhibition for community members to have a say. Following the exhibition period, the draft strategy was adopted by council at its April 2019 meeting.
To comply with the new Local Government Act 2020, the Wodonga Rating Strategy 2019 must be replaced with a Revenue and Rating Plan by June 30.
There have been no changes to the substance of the 2019 Rating Strategy content which has been incorporated into the Draft Revenue and Rating Plan.
This plan is an important part of council’s integrated planning framework and provides a clear explanation of decisions made by a council in implementing their revenue and rating practices and must be adopted.
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