RATES in the Glenelg Shire will be permitted to increase as much as 3.5 per cent in the next financial year, after the State Government set its highest cap for rate rises since introducing the ‘Fair Go Rates’ system – but certainty is far from guaranteed following this year’s local stoush.

The government announced the rates cap last Thursday and said it would protect Victorians from uncontrolled rate hikes while ensuring local governments remained financially sustainable.