But discussions about how the state's rating system could be improved are far from over.

Conversations continued in the council chambers during today's ordinary meeting, largely highlighting feedback from the farming community.

During earlier community consultations, councillors said members of the farming advisory committee had raised the need for flexibility in the system.

"The problem is instilling a farm rate that doesn't meet everyone's needs," councillor James Williams said.

Attendees at the meeting heard about some of the issues associated with determining rates for farming properties.

Related: 'Not fair' - Could this be the end of rates immunity for RSL, universities?

Cr Williams said these issues were all the more difficult in smaller municipalities, where farming properties accounted for a large proportion of rateable land.

Local government areas with a larger urban population had greater flexibility to apply a differential rate, he said.

An idea was raised of averaging valuations over a number of years to arrive at a fairer rate for farming properties.

"It's definitely been a broad review with a lot of feedback," the newly elected deputy mayor, Cr Matt Emond said.

He said the idea of reviewing rating exemptions for land used for mining was of particular interest for Greater Bendigo, given its rich mining history.

Cr Emond said much of the mining riches unearthed during the gold rush did not stay in the region.

He said making land used for mining rateable could be a way the community could share in the benefits of local mining activity.

The City of Greater Bendigo followed the Municipal Association of Victoria's lead in supporting a review of a number of land uses exempt from rating.

They included land used for mining, land used as a residence of a practising minister, and land used by bodies such as the RSL that derived an income from gaming.

Others included land used by private schools and universities.

Story continues below City of Greater Bendigo's submission to the rating review:

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The City of Greater Bendigo said in its submission there was a need for clarification about what constituted an approved charitable use of the land, and thereby warranted an exemption from rating.

La Trobe University Bendigo head of campus Robert Stephenson believed the campus was well placed if that was the council's perspective because it was a not-for-profit public university that provided a net benefit for the community.

He said benefits ranged from investment in community events to university facilities being made available for use by community groups.

Mr Stephenson was hopeful if the rating was to be considered for the campus credit would be given for the costs local government didn't have to cover and the benefits provided to the community.

"I don't think there's anything for us to fear in Bendigo," he said.

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