Special Rates and Charges (SRC) schemes may be used by the City to provide a range of Infrastructure where required by the community.

A common factor with Special Rates and Charges schemes is that where property owners benefit from the works, they contribute to the cost.

The City strives to work in consultation and co-operation with property owners involved in Special Rates and Charges schemes in order to bring about mutually acceptable and satisfactory solutions.

The need for special rates and charge schemes

The City derives its powers through the Local Government Act 1989.

The City has also formulated its own policy, known as the Comprehensive Infrastructure Funding Policy (CIFP) to guide levels of landowner and council contributions toward the cost of works.

In the past there was a distinction between "Government Roads" and "Private Streets". This distinction no longer applies and SRC schemes may apply to both categories and roads.

The application of special rates and charges schemes

Schemes may be applied (but are not limited) to the following:

• Road works
• Easement drainage
• Main drainage
• Kerb and channel
• Footpath
• Traffic management schemes
• Landscaping
• Recreational facilities
• Special events and promotions.

Before proceeding with a scheme, the City must ensure that there is a benefit to each property (and hence owners) in a specific area. This is a concept of "Special Benefit".

The benefit to be derived depends on the type of infrastructure proposed.

Benefit to owners from road construction for example may relate to improved access, removal of dust/mud nuisances improved road safety, improvements to the general amenity and increased property values.

Generally, benefit needs to be viewed over the lifetime of the project and not at a single point in time. In the case of a road this may be 50 plus years and will involve a number of owners.

Benefit in the case of the provision of drainage may relate to the continued use of a drainage system over time, even though the property may shed water onto adjoining properties and owners may not be inconvenienced.

Rulings handed down by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (and its predecessor the Administrative Appeals Tribunal) lay the groundwork for decisions and consideration of benefit.

The City views consultation as an essential element of all Special Rates and Charges schemes.

This may be done in various ways depending on the circumstances and may include correspondence, brochures, public sessions/meetings, personal contact, etc.

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