Cr Peter Beales moved the motion to defer during Tuesday night’s council meeting after a motion to approve the changes was not carried.

The motion to defer until after the commission of inquiry had strong support from the council.

Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins announced the inquiry into the proposed Ararat rates strategy on Friday night.

The Victorian Farmers Federation and agricultural landowners had fought to stop the changes, which would have seen rates unchanged for homeowners with no municipal charges.

Ararat Rural City farmers said they were facing rates increases of tens of thousands of dollars from losing their discounted differential rates.

The public gallery at Alexandra Oval community room in Ararat was almost full with people, most of whom appear to oppose the changes.

Clapping and loud murmuring were heard throughout the meeting.  

For more, read our live blog of the meeting. 

Ararat councillors also voted to delay adopting the budget and related financial documents.