Changed payment choices on new rate notices

MOST property owners in Bendigo will by now have received their latest rates notice, now with options to pay in smaller, regular amounts.

The City of Greater Bendigo started sending out 62,000 notices by post or email last week, the first to feature new options designed to ease the financial burden of a single annual payment.

The City is also trying to encourage ratepayers to make smaller and more regular payments.

The four instalment due dates are 30 September and 2 December this year, and 28 February and 2 June next year.

Flexible payment options to meet instalment deadlines such as monthly direct debits and Centrepay remain available.

A single full payment in February each year is no longer an option, but annual rates paid in full by 30 September will continue to receive a 1.5 per cent discount.

City corporate performance director Jess Howard said the payment change was a response to cost of living challenges facing the community.

“This is to encourage more ratepayers who are facing financial hardship to seek and engage with City assistance much earlier, and for appropriate supports and arrangements to be put into place to help them,” Ms Howard said.

“As the annual rates notice is one of the larger household bills received each year, we know that most ratepayers prefer to have smaller, regular payments over the financial year either by instalments or flexible payment options rather than the financial stress of paying a lump sum.

“It’s the same way that many households manage bills from utility companies, insurance, telecommunication companies and VicRoads, who also offer monthly or quarterly billing.

“It helps to reduce the burden of a lump sum so ratepayers can manage more predictable and manageable payment schedules.”

Ms Howard said the City understood that some ratepayers had been used to making a single payment in February, but an “upward trend” in those experiencing financial hardship led to councillors voting for the change at their June meeting.

“The City’s financial hardship guidelines also allow for flexible payment arrangements, and further information can be found on the City’s website, including an online form to set up a payment plan or direct debit,” she said.

The information is available at bendigo.vic.gov.au/residents/rates or by emailing [email protected].