Update - June 2025
At it's ordinary meeting on Tuesday 24 June 2025, Council moved to declare a Special Charge scheme to support the construction and sealing of Newcombe Street, Drysdale from Princess Street and The Glen, Drysdale.
A Levy Notice has been sent to property owners. Please note that this is not the invoice. Invoices will be sent to property owners within the next 12 months.
A tendering process will now commence with our Procurement team. We will be in touch to advise of the contractor in due course.
At it's ordinary meeting on Tuesday 28 January 2025, Council resolved its intention to declare a Special Rate and Charge scheme to seal Newcombe Street, Drysdale from Princess Street - The Glen.
A public notice was advertised in The Times newspaper on Friday 14 February 2025. You can also find a copy here.
One submission was received.
A report will be presented to Council at its ordinary meeting held Tuesday 24 June 2025 recommending to declare the special charge scheme.
We will be in contact shortly after this date to advise you of the outcome and next steps.
Process steps explained
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 seek the views of all those property owners who may be the subject of a scheme through an early engagement and make an assessment of the degree of support before proceeding to survey and design.
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.
The Local Government Act requires the City to carry out certain formal processes:
A report is presented with all details of a proposed SRC 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.
A detailed report is then placed before the Council which includes the Submissions Review Panel recommendation.
If the Council resolve 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.
Council will send a payment option form and, as instructed by the Local Government Act 2020 (Amendment ), start invoicing within 12 months of the scheme being declared.
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.
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 1989, should the project go over budget, residents will never be charged more that a further 10% or the original cost.
