Councillor Lovett was scathing in his assessment of the state government, which sparked outrage last month by proposing annual, instead of biennial, property valuations – a decision that blindsided a number of councils.

“It’s a ridiculous proposal – we’re already struggling to live with rate capping,” Cr Lovett said. 

“To delay it (legislation) to hope the heat comes out of the argument is wrong.”

Premier Daniel Andrews said the changes, which also proposed centralising valuations to the valuer-general’s office, were to avoid the “bill shock” of biennial land taxes.

However, regional councils have suggested there is a metropolitan divide with this policy and have long argued for four-year property valuations.

The City of Greater Bendigo suggested the proposals would cost more than $2 million each year, and would result in job losses, which it believed was not an effective use of ratepayers’ cash.

The state government omitted the controversial section of the State Taxation Acts Amendment Bill 2017 on Friday in a bid, it says, to consult with councils more effectively.

Special minister of state Gavin Jennings said the government would defer considerations until September to work with crossbenchers on reforms.

Some smaller regional councils believe the cost of doing annual property valuations could be the equivalent of a 1.5 per cent rate of income.

Cr Lovett said properties in his shire would go up in value once every ten years. 

“I would hope they would seriously be consulting – I hope they are going to listen,” he said.  

Macedon Ranges Shire councillor Jennifer Anderson, one of a number of mayors to write to the state government, said: “It shows they (government) have been listening. We hadn’t been consulted.”

“They (government weren’t aware of the how it could affect each council.”

Mount Alexander Shire Council mayor Sharon Telford said the rethink was “a very good idea”.

City of Greater Bendigo director corporate performance, Kerryn Ellis, said the city was keen to discuss the impact of the changes with the state government, given property valuations were undertaken by local governments for the purpose of setting council rates.

The Victorian Local Governance Association welcomed the state government’s delay, with its president, councillor Marg Attley, saying: “Rural councils would be disproportionately impacted by the yearly valuation cycle.”

“We urge the state government to hold meaningful discussions with councils as provided for under the terms of the State and Local Government Agreement.”