Politics
Eltham Mayor Updates Local Rates Policy to Cap Increases for Eligible Households
The revised policy keeps council rates at 2025 levels for qualifying Eltham households with annual incomes below 60,000, directly affecting payment notices mailed this August.
How we reported this
The Eltham mayor released the updated Local Government (Rates and Charges) Policy on 7 July 2026, which caps rate rises at zero for households meeting income and property criteria. The change applies to rate notices issued for the 2026-2027 financial year and covers owner-occupiers who submit verified income statements to the council by 15 August.
Local government rates fund road repairs, waste collection and park maintenance across Eltham's 12 wards. The policy revision follows the council's annual budget process completed in June and responds to resident submissions received during the public consultation period that closed on 30 May.
Direct effects on resident payments
Households approved under the cap will receive rate notices showing the same dollar amount as their 2025 bill, excluding any separate state levies. For a typical three-bedroom property in the central ward, this holds the annual charge at 1,850, according to the 2026 Eltham Council Budget Paper. Renters may see landlords pass on unchanged rates when leases are renewed, while new buyers who qualify can apply within 30 days of settlement.
The legislation states that properties valued above 750,000 remain subject to the standard 3.2 percent increase set in the budget paper. Council staff will process applications at the Eltham Civic Centre and at two pop-up locations in the northern and southern wards during the first two weeks of August.
Timeline and required documents
Residents must provide tax returns or Centrelink statements covering the 2025-2026 year along with their rate account number. The council projects that 4,200 households will meet the threshold based on 2021 census income data adjusted for inflation. Approved applicants will receive confirmation letters by 22 August and adjusted notices shortly after.
Payments under the capped rate begin on 1 September, with the first instalment due by 30 September. Those who miss the application window can reapply in January 2027 during the mid-year review period outlined in the policy document.