Centralised valuation plan will cut jobs and increase costs

Published on 23 May 2017

Mildura Rural City Council has backed calls for the Victorian Government to put a halt to planned property valuation reforms, which could slash jobs and double valuation costs for rate payers.

The Victorian Government announced plans earlier this month to centralise all property valuations within the Valuer-General’s office and move from 24-month valuations to an annual system.

Council’s Chief Executive Officer Gerard José said these plans, announced as part of the State Budget, were made without consulting Victorian Councils, which would be significantly impacted under the proposed model.

Mr José said that as recently as last week’s Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) State Council meeting, a call to move to four-year valuations for small rural councils was upheld.

“In our case, the Government’s plans could mean the loss of three jobs, as well as the financial implications of increased costs due to additional administrative responsibilities, lost revenue from the sale of valuation data and a spike in the cost of Council asset valuations,” Mr José said.

Early estimates indicate the proposed changes could mean an additional $900,000 a year in increased costs to Council, which could impact on rates to cover this significant additional expense.

“A major concern is the fact that in an environment of increased cost shifting by State and Federal Governments onto Local Governments, combined with rate capping, this government has announced these plans without consultation, or apparent concern for the significant financial burden they will place on Councils across the State,” Mr José said. 

“The Victorian Government should put an immediate halt to these reforms until they’ve done what they should have done to begin with – genuinely consult with Councils to get a thorough understanding of the impact these measures will have on communities throughout the state.”

Mr José has entered the issue in Urgent Business for Councillors to consider at this Thursday’s Ordinary Council Meeting as part of a broader effort to work with the MAV and other regional Councils to seek a halt to the current reforms until their full impacts are known.

Media enquiries 
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689 
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au