The Municipal Association of Victoria released comparison data for the 2015-16 financial year for Victoria’s 79 municipalities. It shows only one south-west council has raised rates below the statewide average. 

The data shows Warrnambool’s average rates, charges and waste costs per property as $1984, an increase of $81 on 2014-15. 

The figures put the city mid-range when compared with other councils making up Regional Cities Victoria – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Shepparton, Horsham, Mildura, LaTrobe, Wangaratta and Wodonga. 

Wondonga had the highest average rates, charges and waste cost per assessment at $2258 and LaTrobe had the lowest at $1663. 

Wangaratta had the highest average change when compared to last financial year at $121 and LaTrobe had the lowest of the 10 with a change of $50. 

Mayor Michael Neoh said when lined up against other cities of a like comparison the costs were mid-range. 

The data also shows Warrnambool’s increase as above the state average of 3.8 per cent, but Cr Neoh said councillors had decided to add an extra one percent to cover two programs. 

“The underlying rate increase was 4.5 per cent,” Cr Neoh said.  

“Councillors chose to add .5 percent for asset renewal, which was recommended by our audit committee. 

“Another .5 per cent was added to build the small infrastructure fund, which will fund small community projects which aren't funded in the budget.

“That fund will focus on pedestrian connections and open spaces.” 

Glenelg Shire Council was the only south-west council to have a rate increase below the state average.

Councillors voted in May to raise rates by 1.97 per cent, roughly in line with inflation. 

It’s the second lowest average year-on-year increase in the state at $8.

The Baw Baw Shire had the lowest average increase of just $1, following a 3.6 per cent rate rise.

Corangamite Shire, which raised rates by 5 per cent, has the highest average change per property among south-west councils at $91.

Moyne Shire’s average change per property was $85 and Southern Grampians recorded an average change of $65 per property when compared to last year.