However, it also spent an average of $767.69 less per property compared to similar councils during the same period.

The findings have been revealed in Hepburn Shire Council’s annual report card, which was published by the state government on the Know Your Council website last week.

The website aims to provide consistent information regarding the performance of 79 local councils across Victoria.

The findings showed Hepburn Shire had higher expenses and longer service times in a large number of indicators, including the rates income compared to expenditure figures detailed above.

In other indicators, it took Hepburn Shire Council an average of six days to respond to animal management issues, compared to only 1.69 days by similar councils.

It also showed the council took an average of 5.71 days to action food complaints, compared to only 1.97 days by similar councils or 2.15 days statewide.

In regard to home and community care for older residents or younger people with disabilities, clients took an average of 20.28 days to start services in Hepburn Shire compared to 10.21 days in similar councils.

The cost of respite care and personal care was also significantly higher in Hepburn Shire than not only among similar councils, but the statewide average.

However, Hepburn Shire Council performed well in the areas of councillor attendance at council meetings, and a slightly lower cost of governance per councillor compared to similar councils, or more than $11,000 cheaper than the statewide average.

One area the shire excelled in was its library service, with 80.35 per cent of library resources less than five years old, compared to only 53.72 in similar council areas.

Hepburn Shire also scored well in the area of active library users, with 21.60 of the population borrowing an item during 2015-16, compared to only 17.98 per cent in similar council areas.