Concessions and exemptions

We are mindful that sometimes, due to a range of reasons, you may face difficulties and challenges that can affect your ability to pay your rates.

To help us support those who genuinely need it, Council has developed a Financial Hardship Policy that outlines options for ratepayers who are experiencing genuine financial hardship.

If you are experiencing difficulties, we encourage you to contact our Rates department on (03) 5422 0333 to discuss your situation.

Formal requests must be submitted in writing and addressed to: Senior Rates Administrator, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, PO Box 151, Kyneton VIC 3444. 

If your property is used for agricultural purposes, you may be eligible to apply for the agricultural land rate.

To be eligible, the owner or occupier of the land must be registered as a Primary Producer by the Australian Taxation Office and lodging tax returns as primary producers and the property must:

• be no less than two hectares, and
• used primarily for grazing (including agistment), dairying, pig farming, poultry farming, fish farming, tree farming, bee keeping, viticulture, horticulture, fruit growing, the growing of crops of any kind, or for any combination of these activities

To apply, you must complete the Agricultural Land Rate application form(DOCX, 171KB) or Agricultural Land Rate application form(PDF, 123KB) and submit it by 28 February. If your application is not received in time, your property will continue to be rated at the General Rate for the current year.

If you are pensioner, you may be eligible for a partial rebate on your rates.

To be eligible, your name and address must be on the account and you must have one of the following cards:

• Pensioner Concession Card — issued by Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card — War Widow (WW)
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card — Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI)

Note: your concession card must be valid at the time of application.

You can only claim the rebate for your principal place of residence (the address on your concession card).

To apply for a rebate off your rates and charges, you must complete a Municipal Rates Concession form and submit it along with a copy of your concession card by 30 June. You can do this in person at one of our customer service centres or mail it to: Rates Department, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, PO Box 151, Kyneton VIC 3444.

A Trust for Nature conservation covenant is a permanent, legally binding agreement places on a property’s Title to ensure native vegetation on the property is protected. Its purpose is to permanently conserve and protect the natural, cultural or scientific assets of the land. The agreement is voluntary and negotiated between Trust for Nature and each individual landholder.

Council offers a rate rebate on land protected by a Trust for Nature covenant. For more information, see Trust for Nature covenants

You can choose to upgrade your rubbish/general waste bin to a larger 240 litre bin. Fees apply. 

If you have a disability or medication condition, or are caring for a person with a disability or medical condition, you may be eligible to upgrade to a larger rubbish/general waste bin at no extra cost by applying for a special consideration exemption