2015 Budget & Rates
A bright future for our City
The 2015/16 Budget sets the scene for Council’s continued long-term sustainability and
provides the framework to ensure ongoing exceptional service delivery for the community.
In preparing the 2015/16 Budget, a major review of our long term financial strategy was
undertaken and as a result lower rate increases each year are predicted, and the additional
2.5 per cent infrastructure levy has been removed.
A number of external influences have also been taken into consideration in preparing the
Budget. Influencing factors include increasing utility costs over CPI and a 3.5 per cent
increase in the Victorian Government’s landfill levy.
Despite these factors, which are beyond our control, Council has still managed to maintain a
lower than average rate increase of 3.9 per cent, and remains one of the lowest rating
Council’s in Victoria. This is due to prudent financial management and future planning.
The 2015/16 Budget ensures continuity of services, ongoing renewal for Council’s $1.350
billion in net assets, the delivery of new capital projects and a financially affordable future for
our ratepayers.
The 2015/16 budget includes 22 priority actions which were identified in the Council Plan
2013-2017 (Year 3: 2015/16) and are to be undertaken by Council over the forthcoming
financial year.
These priority actions will contribute to the achievement of the four-year Council Plan key
directions, and ultimately the preferred outcomes outlined in the community vision
Maroondah 2040 – Our Future Together. They include:
• Reviewing and implementing new educational material on waste management for culturally
and linguistically diverse communities
• Completing development of the Maroondah Housing Strategy
• Engaging the community in the design of a new Croydon Town Square
• Completing the redevelopment of East Ringwood Multi-purpose Pavilion
Rate payment options
To assist the Maroondah community with their rate payments, Council has a nine instalment
payment option, which is payable by direct debit. Please note: if you have registered
previously for the direct debit rate payment option, this arrangement will continue.
If you haven’t already, you can register for this payment option by: contacting Council on
1300 88 22 33 or 9298 4598 and requesting a Direct Debit Authority form; visiting one of
Council’s Service Centres; or downloading the form from Council’s website. Forms should be
returned to Council by 20 September 2015.
Paper-free rates notices
Would you prefer to receive your rates notice online? BPAY View means property owners
can now receive, pay and store their rates notices in their online banking portal.
Registering for BPAY View is easy:
1. Log into your online banking account.
2. Look for the BPAY View or View Bills section.
3. Register to receive your rates notice by entering the BPAY Biller Code and your 10 digit
BPAY View reference number – which can both be found on the bottom left of your current
rate notice. Enter your name exactly as it appears in the first line of the address block on the
rates notice.
For more information contact Council on 1300 88 22 33 or 9298 4598.
Projects for our community
Council’s $37.077 million capital works program ensures our assets meet the needs of our
community now and into the future.
An allocation of over $3.873 million has been made to maintain and upgrade our recreational
facilities such as playgrounds, shared paths, golf courses, sports fields and reserve bridges.
This includes $220,000 for playground renewals throughout Maroondah; $1.6 million to be
spent on sports field surface renovations, including $800,000 at AC Robertson Athletics
Track; $20,000 for renewal of the Jubilee Park Oval (Number Two) spectator/player area;
and $50,000 for bicycle path upgrades and extensions. It also includes $136,000 for netball
and tennis court resurfacing across the municipality.
Maroondah’s extensive system of stormwater drains will receive $2.180 million for drainage
improvement works, including flood mitigation works to protect properties in Lusher Road,
Croydon and the Acacia Catchment in the Ringwood Metropolitan Activity Centre.
Council maintains over 475 kilometres of roads and 600 kilometres of constructed footpaths
and will provide funding of more than $6.509 million for construction, replacement, resealing,
asphalt overlays, kerb and channel works, local area traffic management (LATM) and
commercial centres. This includes $1.360 million on footpath construction and replacement
across the City, and $330,000 on LATM including traffic calming works on Evelyn Road,
North Ringwood.
A total of $20.183 million has been allocated to the 510 Council buildings and structures,
including: $4.918 million to complete Aquanation, which will open on 15 August this year;
$2.5 million for the East Ringwood Multi-purpose Pavilion project; and $2.255 million on
building renewal and accessibility works at various locations including Pinjarra Kindergarten,
Bedford Park Guide Hall, Cheong Sporting Pavilion, Croydon Library and EV’s Youth Centre.
Serving our community
Maroondah City Council provides more than 120 different services and facilities to the
111,223 members of our community, including:

Over 100 immunisation sessions per year – delivering 15,000 vaccinations to babies,
children and adults

Seven Maternal & Child Health centres and 20 nurses who attend to 1600 new
babies and conduct 19,000 maternal visits each year

Programs and services for our young people aged 12 to 25 years, such as Council’s
popular drop-in programs at EV’s Youth Centre

74 school crossings, which are patrolled each school day – rain, hail or shine

Karralyka, which last year welcomed close to 50,000 guests and hosted 375
functions, including 20 Morning Music performances and a full theatre season

Social Inclusion & Wellbeing programs for older residents and people with
disabilities, which include: 19,008 hours of centre-based programs; 8300 hours of
non-centre based programs; and 5760 hours of support to residents of Maroondah
Supported Residential Services

Ownership and maintenance of 21 kindergartens that provide three and four-year-old
programs

34km of off road shared trails, 433 parks, 47 bush reserves and 121 playgrounds

Recycling – a strong commitment by Maroondah residents sees a total of 11,860
tonnes of plastics, glass and paper recycled and 13,477 tonnes of green organics
collected annually

Community events, such as Maroondah Festival, Carols by Candlelight, Australia
Day and Reconciliation Week, which attract participation from over 30,000 people
each year.
What does all this cost?
The 2015/16 Budget represents a $52.20 increase in annual rates for the median priced
homeowner in Maroondah. This equates to an increase of approximately $1 per week and
includes a 120 litre garbage service charge.
Total revenues
Rates & charges
$77.264m
63%
Statutory fees & fines
$3.538m
3%
Operating grants &
$14.571m
12%
Capital grants
$3.859m
3%
User charges
$21.671m
18%
Interest
$0.841m
1%
Total
$121.744m
100%
contributions
Total operating expenditure
Transport & Access
$15.255m
13%
Environment
$34.275m
29%
Community Support
$22.551m
19%
Leisure & Culture
$34.212m
29%
City Development 06.185m
$11.307m
10%
Total
$117.600m
100%
Rates & charges spent per $100
$16.45 Leisure & Culture
$10.32 Transport & Access
$15.35 Community Support
$7.45 City Development
$22.48 Environment
$27.95 Capital Works
Valuation
A property valuation is required every two years under the Victorian Government’s Valuation
of Land Act (1960). This rate notice is based on valuation levels determined by the market
on 1 January, 2014. The next General Valuation will be conducted using levels set as at 1
January, 2016.
A General Valuation does not increase or decrease revenue for Council. It establishes the
value of property relative to all other properties within the municipality, which is used to
distribute the rate burden in a fair and equitable manner.
Rates and budget
In determining the level of rate income, Council carefully considers:
• the long-term vision, aspirations and needs of the community
• capital works and services required throughout the year
• all sources of non-rate income, such as government grants and fees and charges.
This process then determines the total own source revenue required to meet the delivery of
capital works and services for the coming year. This is then calculated and distributed as a
‘rate in the dollar’ for each dollar of property value. Hence the higher the property value, the
more rates paid; the lower the property value, the less rates paid.
How a property’s rates are calculated
Rates are calculated by multiplying the rate in the dollar amount by the Capital Improved
Value (CIV) of the property ascertained by revaluations.
E.g.: CIV $455,000
General rate in the $ .002744
Total general rates payable *$1,248.50
*Excludes garbage charge
Garbage charges
Service
Amount
Residential 120 litre bin
$242.00
Residential 80 litre bin
$202.00
Residential second and subsequent bins
$257.00
Commercial 240 litre bin (once per week)
*$469.00
Commercial 240 litre bin (three times per
*$987.00
week)
Industrial 120 litre bin
*$269.00
Industrial 80 litre bin
*$227.00
Additional Recycling – Non-Residential
*$97
*These fees include GST, which applies to these services
Overdue rates
Late payment of rates will incur interest charges that are fixed by the Victorian Government
at 9.5 per cent. Interest is charged daily from the due date of each instalment.
Why interest is charged
When rates are received after the due date, the planned income changes and projects must
be financed from more expensive funding sources. The charging of interest on overdue rates
offsets the additional costs of alternative sources of funding.
Pensioner Rate Assistance Scheme
Council’s Pensioner Rate Assistance Scheme provides concessions to people who hold the
following concession cards:
• Pensioner Concession Card (PCC)
• DVA Gold Repatriation Health Card - Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI)
• DVA Gold Repatriation Health Card – War Widow (WW).
The card must be held by the person who is named as the ratepayer on the account, and
must be registered to the same address as the rateable property.
Ratepayers who hold the above cards can apply for a concession on their rates payment
and the Fire Services Levy either by attending a Council Service Centre in person to
complete an application form and have their pension card sighted, or by calling 1300 88 22
33 or 9298 4598 to request an application form by mail.
Council’s Financial Hardship Assistance Policy
Council’s Financial Hardship Policy assists those ratepayers who were adversely affected by
the introduction of CIV rating. This allows a property owner to apply for a waiver of up to 75
per cent of the net increase in rate liability since 2002-03, after deduction of the year-to-year.
Council determined increase in the rate level. This is subject to a minimum levied rate
amount of $300 per annum.
Applications for the waiver must be made in writing on the appropriate form.
Waivers will be considered on the general rate only and will be granted at the discretion of
Council.
Further information, or copies of the application form, are available by contacting Revenue
Services on 1300 882 233 or 9298 4598.
Payment Arrangements
It is not usual practice for Council to waive or defer rates or charges. However, if you think
you may have difficulty paying your rates, please contact us at your earliest convenience to
discuss a more suitable payment arrangement.
Service Centre hours and further information
Our Revenue Services employees are able to answer specific questions about your rate
charge or valuation.
Phone 1300 88 22 33 or 9298 4598 or visit one of our Service Centres:
City Offices, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood.
8.30am to 7pm every Monday,
8.30am to 5pm Tuesday to Friday.
The Ringwood Centre Service Centre,
1 Civic Place, Ringwood.
8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday,
9am to 12 noon Saturday.
Croydon Service Centre,
Civic Square, Croydon.
8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS): 131 450
National Relay Service (NRS): 133 677
Visit Council online at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au
Privacy
Maroondah City Council is committed to complying with the provisions of privacy legislation.
Council provides a diverse number of services to the community and information such as
name, address and contact numbers are important to the delivery of these services. This
information will remain for the use of Council and will not be disclosed except as required by
law, unless consent is provided to do so. An individual is able to gain access to their
personal information.