Shire of Murray council passes 4.5% rate increase in biggest hike since 2018-19

The Shire of Murray council endorsed a 4.5 per cent rate hike at its monthly council meeting on Thursday night.

It is the first time rates have increased by more than 2 per cent since the 2018-19 financial year.

In 2021-22, rates rose by just 1.49 per cent.

Ratepayers will have to fork out a bit more than a pineapple in their 2022-23 rate payments, with the increase totalling $52 across the board.

The minimum payment will rise to $1212, up from last year’s $1160, and the rate for storage units will go up from $860 to $912.

In its report to council, shire officers noted that rates revenue allows to shire to “undertake a wide range of services and activities, many of which directly result in an economic benefit for the local community”.

“Rate revenue is used by the shire to carry out a range of community-oriented activities, which impact on the social fabric of the community,” the report said.

It was also noted that there is continued demand for environmental activities, including “works on parks, reserves, rivers and foreshores, and all other land owned and managed by the Shire”.