Victoria's council rates: What you will be slugged VICTORIANS will be slugged an average $76 more for local council rates this year. Municipal Association of Victoria data reveals rates for this financial year will be almost twice the inflation rate on average, and climb by up to $197 in some areas. The biggest percentage increases are in Banyule (12.5 per cent); Mitchell (9.3 per cent) and Nillumbik (9.3 per cent). The lowest are Greater Bendigo (1.1 per cent); Melbourne city (1.4 per cent) and Hepburn (2.4 per cent). Ratepayers Victoria president Jack Davis lashed out at the increases, which coincide with higher costs for other essentials such as water and energy bills. Mr Davis accused councils of being too wasteful with spending. "Councils seem to think it's a money tree out there and keep asking for more," Mr Davis said. The latest impost would hit people on low incomes, pensioners and the unemployed particularly hard. MAV president Cr Bill McArthur said councils were being forced to plug gaps in state and federal government funding as communities increasingly relied on services such as aged care and public libraries. "The trend has been for ratepayers to cover a bit more each year because government funding has not kept pace with the cost of delivering those services," Cr McArthur said. Councils were also under pressure from a superannuation shortfall of almost $400 million. The data reveals a $197 hike for Nillumbik ratepayers brings their annual bill to $2319, almost as much as the state's highest dollar figure for Melbourne city at $2360. Loddon rates are the lowest in dollar terms at $1135, followed by Monash at $1251. Areas facing a financial sting of more than $100 this year include Casey, Maribyrnong, Banyule, Wodonga, Corangamite and Horsham. The average rates per assessment cover all ratepayers, including households and businesses, in each council area. The calculation includes rates, municipal charges and garbage fees. Rates based on the median residential property value in each area range from $628 in West Wimmera for a home worth $77,738, to $1814 in Boroondara for a $910,000 value. Cr McArthur said it generally costs councils 3-4 per cent more than CPI each year to deliver the same service mix and range. "Council budgets are primarily made up of staff wages to deliver more than 100 community services, plus construction and material costs to maintain $60 billion worth of local roads and facilities," he said. The consumer pain does not include the fire services levy of an average $140 per household, which is to be collected by councils rather than via insurance premiums. The change from July 1 spreads the tax burden across all properties, rather than only those insured. It followed recommendations by the Black Saturday bushfires royal commission. Banyule City Council mayor Cr Wayne Phillips said while the muncipality's rise was substantial, its rates remained low "relative to our peers." "Council believes the increase is necessary to maintain high quality services and fund a capital works assets program that has doubled in size because of the urgent need to address the city's ageing infrastructure," Cr Phillips said. The rate rises come as a report last year revealed councils are increasingly suing people over unpaid rates for debts as little as $600. The Federation of Community Legal Centres and Footscray Community Legal Centre report found about 6000 Victorians a year are taken to court by the state's 79 councils for unpaid rates. Cr McArthur said the MAV was working with councils to improve ratepayer hardship policies. Anyone who experiences genuine financial stress in paying their rates is urged to contact their council to discuss their circumstances. We can only help if you talk to us," he said.