Welcome

What is a Special Rate and Charge Scheme (SRC)?

The City receives many requests from residents and property owners to provide works and services which may be considered for a Special Rate and Charge Scheme (SRC) and will require a contribution from property owners.

Many requests for infrastructure or services arise due to development and the need for modern day standard infrastructure in order to maintain reasonable levels of health, safety and amenity.

An SRC may be applied (but is not not limited) to the following:

New sealed roads
Sealing unsealed roads or laneways
Traffic management
Kerb and channel
Footpaths
Drainage works – easements, drains
Street lighting
Marketing and promotion

The City has a Policy (please see `document library' section to the right of the page), which assists to guide funding principles related to SRC Schemes. The Policy sets out the process and guidelines for the funding of such schemes as legislated at Section 163 of the Local Government Act 1989.

SPECIAL RATE & CHARGE SCHEMES CURRENTLY OPEN FOR FEEDBACK

Park Street, Portarlington

Survey open

ACTIVE SPECIAL RATE & CHARGE SCHEMES (Not currently seeking feedback)

Active Special Rate and Charge schemes are projects that have commenced the formal legislative process. Please click on the SRC Scheme that relates to you. This link will take you to the page dedicated to your scheme.

CLOSED SPECIAL RATE & CHARGE SCHEMES

Privacy Clause

The personal information requested on this page is being collected by City of Greater Geelong for the purpose of the the City's Special Rate and Charge Scheme or any other directly related purpose. If the personal information is not collected, we may not be able to contact you for further questions or solutions. Your personal information will only be disclosed as required to do so by law. Our privacy policy is available on our website. If you wish to alter any of the personal information you have supplied to City of Greater Geelong, please contact us by sending an email to privacy@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Document Library

Process steps explained

As outlined in the 1989 Local Government Act, the following statutory steps will be followed with every Special Rate and Charge Scheme.

Project Initiation

The SRC process may be initiated by the City, property owners or residents within the area.

The level of preliminary investigation, survey and consultation will usually depend on the complexity of the issues surrounding the need for the infrastructure.

The City will generally seek the views of all those owners who may be the subject of a scheme and make an assessment of the degree of support before proceeding.

Community Consultation

The Council views consultation as an essential element of all SRC Schemes. This may be done in various ways depending on the circumstances and may include correspondence, brochures, public meetings, personal contact etc.

Councilors and Council Officers are always available to provide information and importantly to receive feedback on property owner’s views and opinions.

Intention to Declare

The Local Government Act requires the City to carry out certain formal processes:

A report is presented with all details of a scheme and the City may resolve its “Intention to declare a "Special Rate or Charge”.

The scheme is then advertised (Geelong Advertiser) and at the same time a letter of advice sent to all owners.

The process provides for owners to make submissions and objections to Council regarding any aspect of the scheme, which must be lodged within 28 days.

A Submissions Review Panel of Councilors is then convened and submitters may address this Panel.

The Panel having considered all submissions and information makes a recommendation to the City.

Declaration

A detailed report is then placed before the Council which includes the Submissions Review Panel recommendation and if the Council resolves to proceed, the SRC Scheme is declared. The Council may at this stage also modify or abandon the scheme.

Given a resolution to declare the SRC Scheme, a notice is issued to each owner liable to pay the charge. This indicates the estimated amount of the rate or charge and advises of rights to seek a review via the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). An application to VCAT must be lodged within 30 days of the issue of the Council notice.

On application, VCAT will conduct a hearing and advise all parties of its decision.

Construction

Once the works have commenced Council will send a payment option form and then start to send invoices to collect payments for the scheme.

When works are completed, the costs are finalised and an adjustment made to each owners costs to reflect the actual, final costs. Where the finalised actual costs are lower than the amount paid a refund will be provided.

Finalisation

On completion of works, a final report will be provided to Council to advise of the final costings. Residents will be advised of any cost adjustments at this time. Please note that in line with the Local Government Act 2000, should the project go over budget, residents will never be charged more that a further 10% or the original cost.

I need assistance

Hearing and speech support

The National Relay Service is available as a phone solution for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment.

TTY users phone 133 677
Speak and Listen users phone 1300 555 727
Internet relay users - visit the National Relay Service website

To have content on the page read aloud to you, select text and click the listen icon that appears.

If we can assist any other way to help you provide your feedback please contact the project officer below.

Translation support

This page is available in languages other than English.

To change the language click the button at the top right corner of this page and select your preferred language.

If you need an interpreter, call 131 450 or visit the Translating and Interpreting Service website for more information.

Contact Us

Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:

Name	Alison McGorman, SRC Program Manager
Phone	5272 4608
Email	engineeringplans@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
Website	yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/

Phone	03 5272 5272
Email	contactus@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
Website	www.geelongaustralia.com.au

Phone

03 5272 5272

contactus@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Website

Have Your Say

Special Rate and Charge Schemes at the City

Welcome

What is a Special Rate and Charge Scheme (SRC)?

SPECIAL RATE & CHARGE SCHEMES CURRENTLY OPEN FOR FEEDBACK

Park Street, Portarlington

ACTIVE SPECIAL RATE & CHARGE SCHEMES (Not currently seeking feedback)

Ocean Grove Principal Pedestrian Network - SRC 354

Asbury Street West, Ocean Grove - SRC 364