STAGGERING. That’s the word that comes to mind when comparing the council rates between the City of Greater Shepparton, a robust regional town, and the City of Stonnington, renowned for houses of affluence in Toorak.
Shepparton’s council rate stands over three times higher than that of Stonnington’s, a fact that may raise eyebrows given the socio-economic disparity between the two regions. Rates are determined by the property value, and with our rate being 3.22 times more, Shepparton property owners can feel the pinch.
Let’s put this into perspective with a property valued at $500,000. In Shepparton, the annual council rate would be $1,676.62, while a parallel property in Stonnington would attract an annual council payment of merely $520.
This intriguing comparison lays bare an unexpected peculiarity in the world of council rates. While each locale boasts its unique allure, it’s certainly an oddity that a regional township like Shepparton sees more substantial council rates than one of Victoria’s wealthiest suburbs.
Whether this holds any great meaning or is simply a quirk of regional economics, it’s a fact of life for residents and an interesting nugget for property owners to chew on.
Rates figures sourced directly from Greater Shepparton City Council and City of Stonnington Council websites respectively.
