Wyndham City Council seeks $5.36M in land tax refunds for non-revenue properties, citing unfair assessments and pushing for broader exemptions and an audit.

Wyndham City Council is seeking a $5.359 million refund of land taxes paid on over 20 council-owned properties from 2021 to 2023, arguing the state’s assessments are unfair since the land, used for parks, gardens, and public infrastructure, generates no revenue. The council disputes tax bills on parcels like a small garden bed and a stalled development site linked to a soccer club, claiming exemptions apply. It also wants future tax waivers and an Auditor-General probe into similar cases across Victoria, citing long-term rate capping that limits local funding despite rising costs. The State Revenue Office maintains tax rules apply unless exempt but declined to comment on individual cases.