At its February Council Meeting, Bass Coast Shire Council adopted a new Rating Strategy, delivering a permanent rate reduction for the farming sector. The updated strategy modernises Council's rating structure in line with sector best practice and shifts toward a fairer, valuation‑based system.
Following community consultation across November and December 2025, Council has endorsed several changes to rating differentials. These include reducing the farmland differential from 80 per cent to 65 per cent, increasing the vacant land differential from 150 per cent to 200 per cent, and retaining the developed land differential at 100 per cent. These changes will be incorporated into the development of the 2026/27 Budget.
The community was invited to provide feedback on the updated Rating Strategy, which determines how the fixed rates pool-set annually by the State Government cap-is shared across different property types. The rating strategy won't change the size of the pool - it looks at how that fixed amount is divided between developed properties, farms and vacant land.
Consultation showed strong support for the pensioner rebate, an increased vacant land differential, and a lower farm differential. Feedback also highlighted concerns regarding the removal of the Rural Land Management Program (RLMP) and the need to uphold environmental commitments.
The review also introduces reforms to the Rural Land Management Program, including a revised program aligned with Council Plan objectives to enhance biodiversity and protect natural assets. In addition, Council will provide a 20 per cent Waste Charge rebate for eligible pensioners and short-term relief for first homeowners affected by the vacant land rate increase, delivered as a rebate on application with supporting evidence.
Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Rochelle Halstead thanked the community for having their say on how the rates pool gets shared.
"It was great for myself and our Council officers to sit down with you, explain a complex issue in simple terms, and break it down to one key question: What does fair look like to you?"
"The answers varied - and that's exactly why your feedback was so important. Because of your input, it's reflected in the final strategy through the reforms and the newly introduced relief for first homeowners."
Completion of the Rating Strategy review fulfils a key action in the 2025-26 Annual Action Plan. The Rating Strategy 2026 will be included in the draft Annual Budget 2026-27 due to be released in April 2026.
