Cr Ros Heit
June 7, 2016
South Burnett Cr Ros Heit wants residents to start preparing now for the reintroduction of half-yearly rate notices to minimise the shock of receiving a big bill in August.
“We’re about 12 weeks away from the first half-yearly notices going out, so this is the right time to start preparing for it,” Cr Heit said.
The Council voted to axe quarterly notices and return to half yearly notices at May’s Council meeting.
The move will please the estimated 70 per cent of residents who said they preferred half-yearly or annual rates bills, and also improve the Council’s bottom line by $168,000 a year.
Cr Heit said to ease the changeover, the discount period for the first half-yearly rates notice will be extended to 30 days after the end of the discount period.
The point at which interest will be charged for overdue rates will also expand from 60 days to 90 days.
However, these changes will only apply to the first half yearly notice.
“The best way to minimise the pain of the first bill is to set up an instalment payment plan with Council,” Cr Heit said.
“You pay a fixed amount every week, fortnight or month from your bank account or Centrelink payment, and when the rates bill arrives it will list whatever you’ve paid by instalments and show any amount still remaining.
“Providing you settle any outstanding rates in full before the discount date, you’re still eligible for the 10 per cent discount, regardless of whether you’re using an instalment plan or not.”
Cr Heit said the Council knew the move back to half-yearly rates would impact some people more than others, and was keen to keep “bill shock” as low as possible.
“Rates are one of those inevitable expenses, just like power bills,” Cr Heit said.
“So I’d urge every ratepayer to look at how this change is going to affect their budget and start planning now.
“The earlier you do it, the less bill shock there’ll be in August.”
Information about paying rates by instalments, and a one-page application form, can be obtained on the Council’s website.
