Council has identified an error in rates notices that were issued in August. Click the below link for more information.
Important update about rates notices
Published on 01 September 2026
Council has identified an error in rates notices that were issued in August.
We understand that ratepayers expect their rates notice to be accurate, transparent and calculated correctly. We sincerely apologise for this error and any confusion or inconvenience it may have caused.
The error has resulted in undercharging the Victorian Government Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) levy shown on rate notices that were sent in early August.
The Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) levy shown on many rates notices was incorrectly calculated. This levy is collected by councils on behalf of the state government.
No ratepayers have been overcharged on their most recent rates notice. Corrected rates notices will be reissued from Tuesday 2 September.
This issue relates specifically to the calculation of the ESVF levy, not the underlying property valuation or general rates calculation.
We also recognise that some members of our community may be experiencing financial hardship. Support is available through payment plans, payment deferrals and, in some circumstances, fee waivers. Please visit our rates financial assistance page or call 1300 179 944 for more information.
More information on this issue can be found in our frequently asked questions below.
Again, we apologise for this error, and we thank you the community for its understanding.
The Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) levy shown on rates notices was incorrectly calculated and all rates notices have been reissued.
Council has identified that an error was made to calculate the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy shown on rates notices. We apologise for the error and understand residents expect their rates notice to be accurate.
The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund is an annual property levy collected via council rates in Victoria. It applies to residential, commercial, industrial, primary production and public benefit properties. It replaced the fire services property levy and supports a broader range of emergency services.
All Victorian councils collect this levy on behalf of the state government. All funds go to supporting emergency services and volunteer organisations across the state. This levy was previously called the fire services property levy.
The levy is calculated by taking a fixed charge for your property type and adding a variable charge based on your property's value, which is shown on your rates notice as the Capital Improved Value or CIV.
Council is reviewing how the calculation was made incorrectly and why this error was not identified through existing checking processes.
Residents experiencing financial hardship can apply for financial assistance, including payment plans, payment deferrals and waivers in some circumstances. Visit our rates financial assistance page.
Over 90 per cent of ratepayers are affected. Both residential and commercial properties are involved.
Ratepayers do not need to do anything. Rates notices with the correct information will be reissued from the first week of September to all affected ratepayers.
The reissued rates notice will show payments already made. Payments received after 26th August will not appear on the reissued rates notice. The corrected levy will also be shown. This corrected amount will be due to be paid in line with existing instalment periods.
Corrected rates notices will be reissued from the first week of September. The dates that rates are due in instalments throughout the year will remain the same.
The identified issue relates to the calculation of the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) levy. It does not change the valuation of your property.
Flexipay will be available from 7th September.
Please check that your rates notice shows the date issued as 27/08/2026. The code is specific to your rates notice, therefore you need to use the code on the new rates notice with this issue date.
Flexipay will be available from Monday 7 September.
Flexipay is a system where accounts can be spread out into monthly, fortnightly or weekly payments.
Flexipay opens up after it is rolled over after rate notice delivery and payments are between September and May each financial year.
Instalment choices will be the set amounts on the corrected rates notice.
Once off payments are available after they have rolled over the system after the delivery of rates notices.
If you are on an approved payment plan, you can continue to pay as per the written and agreed schedule. This includes if you have chosen for your payments to be direct debited through Flexipay.
The code is specific to your rates notice (please check if you are using the rates notice with issue date 27/08/2026).
See our rates payment options page to submit a FlexiPay request.