Draft budget review

Northern Grampians Shire Council leaders have encouraged residents – particularly farmers – to comment on the organisation’s 2018-19 draft budget before a June 21 deadline.

Mayor Tony Driscoll said the council welcomed comment from all residents, but said farmers in particular would see a rate increase this year.

“Farmers’ rates will increase because the value of agricultural land has seen a massive increase,” he said.

“Local government legislation restricts council’s ability to change that and we know that many other rural councils are facing a similar story.

“This issue is likely to be further exacerbated because currently councils undertake land valuations every two years, by law. This might change to annual valuations in 2019.”

Cr Driscoll said council staff were already working to address these concerns.

“Currently we provide a 35 percent concession on the general rate for farm properties, which is the second-highest concession in the state,” he said. “But further work needs to be done on farm valuations at a state level.

“We are meeting with the Victorian Farmers Federation and state government and feedback from local farmers on the budget will give us further information to take to the table.”

People can visit the council’s website at www. ngshire.vic.gov.au to access the draft budget and sumbit comments.