All amalgamated councils were given a three-year rate path freeze after merging, requiring rate equalisation to come into effect as of July 2020.
However the recently enacted Local Government Amendment Act 2019 has enabled the minister to extend the rate freeze for a further 12 months for councils needing more time.
In supporting the motion to push forward with the original deadline, MRC mayor Chris Bilkey said council had a responsibility to ratepayers to keep things moving.
“There is no doubt harmonising rates across former Wakool and Murray will be a significant exercise, however we already have a project plan in place which sees us confident we will complete the process in the timeline originally planned," he said.
“We will look to have the conversation with the community through our normal budget process as it will not only be the equalisation of rates that needs to take place, but also that of our general fees and charges; so we will work with the community on both.
“It’s a large piece of work but council is committed to push on with things and make this process as fair as possible."
General manager Des Bilske said while there had been significant angst from amalgamated metropolitan councils about the fast-approaching rates harmonisation deadline, that wasn't the same for MRC.
"Although we face some of the same issues, we don't have the same numbers of ratepayers," he said.
"While 11 of the 19 councils involved have engaged consulting firms, it's a significant cost and we are capable of doing it internally instead."
Rates harmonisation requires councils to come up with a new rating formula across previously existing boundaries, replacing often disparate rating systems that existed under the previous structures.