A HORSHAM farmer hopes his council rates revolt will spread across Victoria.

McKenzie Creek farmer Neville McIntyre has paid only $60 more than his previous rates bill of $8890, rather than the $480 increase he has been invoiced for 2012-13.

"When setting last year's rates the previous council bragged how they had achieved an average $60 increase for the 9000-strong residential sector," Mr McIntyre said.

"They were able to achieve this through large increases forced on to farmers.

"I cannot see why I am expected to pay a $480 increase."

Wonwondah farmer Russell Heard said councillors needed an understanding of farmers' rates "pain".

"We are getting bad value for money," Mr Heard said.

Horsham Rural City Council chief executive Peter Brown said ratepayers who did not pay their bills would have to pay interest of 10.5 per cent.

Horsham farmers pay $4.2 million of the council's total rates and charges intake of $19.2 million.

Mr Brown said the "current rates system was a wealth tax'' and councils, through the Municipal Association of Victoria had been calling for a share of GST revenue from the Commonwealth for many years.

"The current tax mix is inequitable and property bears a disproportion amount of the tax burden,'' Mr Brown said.