Dandenong Council Raises Property Fees Starting 2027, Impacts Households

The Dandenong City Council passed the Community Infrastructure Levy Adjustment by a 7-2 margin at its July 7 meeting, a measure that revises annual charges on residential and commercial properties within the municipality.

The decision follows the council's review of the 2026-2027 fiscal planning documents, which identified shortfalls in funding for road maintenance and park upkeep after prior revenue sources fell short of projected needs.

Effects on Daily Services

Residents in central Dandenong precincts will see the levy rise by an average of $48 per household, according to the council's published rate schedule, while owners of small commercial sites along Lonsdale Street face an increase of $112 per property. Local advocates note that these amounts replace separate user fees previously charged for waste collection and community centre access, consolidating payments into a single annual bill.

Policy analysts say the adjustment also caps late-payment penalties at 8 percent, a change that removes the prior 12 percent rate applied to overdue accounts. This structure affects renters indirectly when landlords pass on the new levy amounts through lease renewals expected in the coming months.

The council's budget papers record the levy is projected to generate $1.85 million in additional revenue for the fiscal year beginning July 2027, allocated across three line items: $820,000 for footpath repairs, $610,000 for library operating hours and $420,000 for youth recreation programs.

Implementation begins with the first billing cycle in January 2027, after which the council will issue updated rate notices to all affected properties. Council staff have scheduled two public information sessions for October to explain the revised payment options and hardship provisions contained in the adopted ordinance.