South Burnett Regional Council plans to survey ratepayers about scrapping quarterly rates notices in favour of half-yearly bills, and introducing new methods to make payments easier.
Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said one of these new methods could be electronic payments, set up through the South Burnett Regional Council website.
Council currently have the following methods to pay rates:
- Cheque or cash in person or via mail
- Telephone payments – 13-18-16
- Credit card
- BPAY
- Australia Post
- Instalments
- Centrepay – from any Centrelink Benefit
- Direct debits set up with individual’s bank
“Over 66 per cent of our rates come through Australia Post and BPAY,” Mayor Kratzmann said.
“We have a few through Centrepay, which is great for our pensioners who can set this up with Centrelink.
“And about 24 per cent of ratepayers actually come into Council’s offices.”
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Finance Portfolio spokesperson Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell said anyone having difficulties making payments should know there was an option to pay rates off in instalments.
“You can set up a payment plan so that you’ve paid your rates in full before the discount period ends,” he said.
Cr Campbell said Council would also meet with other local councils to see what other optional payment methods were used by ratepayers.
“One of the options we will look at is for ratepayers to enter into arrangements where a small amount each week is deducted from their pay to help people budget for their rates,” he said.
Mayor Kratzmann said Council also wanted to gauge if people preferred quarterly or half yearly rates notices.
“We currently have many residents who pay for their rates half yearly,” he said.
“Council are in the process of preparing the next Budget.
“Reverting back to half yearly rates would save ratepayers additional administration costs.”
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Bona fide primary producers applying for a one-month extension of the discount period to pay their rates can download a one-page form from the SBRC website (62kb PDF).
“Council has extended the discount period by one month for primary producers to May 8, 2014. Last week’s rain was certainly needed although it wasn’t enough for our farmers, who need our assistance,” Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said.
“The extension of the discount period is one small way where we can assist South Burnett primary producers who are doing it tough at the moment.”
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Council has advised that ratepayers who pay their rates using Australia Post’s internet or Over the Phone bill payment service that an error in the Payment Reference Number is preventing payments from being processed.
Payments can be made over the counter at Australia Post outlets as they are being processed normally.
Ratepayers who wish to pay their rates electronically using the Australia Post system should use the 10 digit Reference Number from their November 2013 notice or contact Council’s Customer Contact Centres.
Council Staff have access to previous rate notices and can provide ratepayers with their correct Payment Reference Number.
