Politics
Epping Freezes Property Rates Through 2028 for 45,000 Households
The ordinance holds residential rates at current levels through 2028, affecting billing for 45,000 Epping properties starting January 2027.
How we reported this
The Epping mayor approved the Rates Stabilisation Ordinance on 7 July 2026, holding residential property rates at 2026 levels for the next two fiscal years. The measure applies to every rateable dwelling in the Epping municipality and removes scheduled annual increases that had been built into prior budgets.
Council finance staff prepared the ordinance after reviewing revenue forecasts that showed rising outlays for road repairs, waste disposal contracts and emergency services. The July council session adopted the text without amendment after the finance committee presented updated projections drawn from the 2026-2027 budget papers.
Changes to Household Outgoings
Epping residents will receive rates notices that list the same total as the 2026 bill for services including kerbside collection, street lighting and park upkeep. A household assessed at the municipal median property value will avoid the $98 increment that had been calculated under the former 3.8 percent adjustment formula.
The 2026-2027 budget papers record expected rates revenue of 112 million under the freeze, versus 116.5 million if the previous escalation had continued. Residents can use the unchanged amount to cover other recurring costs such as energy or transport.
Implementation Schedule
Billing system changes will be completed by December 2026 so that first-quarter statements mailed in January 2027 reflect the capped amount. Council staff will issue explanatory inserts with each notice and post updated calculators on the municipal website.
Quarterly revenue reports will be presented to the council beginning in April 2027, allowing adjustments only if external grant funding changes. Policy analysts say the next formal review is scheduled for the 2028 budget cycle.