Parks charge

The parks charge is an annual levy on commercial, industrial and residential properties in the metropolitan Melbourne area (as specified by Order of the Governor in Council and published in the Victorian Government Gazette). The retail metropolitan water corporations bill and collect the parks charge on behalf of the Minister for Environment.

Revenue collected from the parks charge (also known as the Metropolitan Improvement Rate) is paid into the Parks and Reserves Trust Account (PRTA).

Allocations from the PRTA primarily support Parks Victoria, Zoos Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and the Shrine of Remembrance to deliver on core obligations relating to the access, safety, utility and environmental quality of their managed estates. This PRTA funding ensures that our world-class network of large urban parks and trails is maintained and staffed for the enjoyment of future generations.

The parks charge appears as a separate annual charge on the water bill. The parks charge has been included on the water, sewerage and drainage bills for residential and commercial properties since 1958.

Click here for more information on the parks charge and the Parks and Reserves Trust Account (PRTA).