Payment of rates
Courtesy letters
Payment methods
Payment due dates
Payment of arrears and interest
Rates payment card
In financial difficulty?
Frequently asked questions
In January each year, Council prepares courtesy letters to notify residents of upcoming rate payment deadlines. It is also an opportunity for residents to seek further information with any queries they may have about their latest rates notices.
People choosing to pay their rates in full have until 15 February, but Council is encouraging anyone with questions about exemptions to their Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) or municipal charge to get in touch before then.
Applications for exemptions from the FSPL and municipal charge can be made to Council on a single farm enterprise application form for more than one farming property.
For help with any rates matter, please call 5494 1200. There is also further information around the calculation and payment of rates and other frequently asked questions available in this section.
Details of payment methods are shown on the rate notice and include the following methods:
Method
|
How
|
| Website |
Council's secure payments using Visa or Mastercard (rates notice required)
|
Council offices
|
EFTPOS by phoning (03) 5494 1200
|
In person via cash, cheque, credit card or EFTPOS
|
| Australia Post |
In person at any Post Office |
| By phoning 131 816 |
| Online at Australia Post Billpay |
Rates payment card
|
| BPAY |
Through your participating Bank, Credit Union or Building Society directly from your cheque, savings or credit account (rates notice required)
|
| Direct debit |
Instalment amounts will be deducted from your nominated bank account.To achieve this, you will need to complete the Direct Debit Application form first and mail it to Loddon Shire Council P.O. Box 21 Wedderburn 3518 or deliver in person to Council’s Wedderburn Office |
Mail
|
Detach the payment slip at the perforation and mail with cheque to Loddon Shire Council, PO Box 21, Wedderburn 3518
|
Approved agencies
|
In person
|
Full payment
If you elect to pay the full amount as a lump sum, it is due to be paid by:
Quarterly instalments
Instalments are due for payment on or before:
- 30 September
- 30 November
- 28 February
- 31 May.
To be recognised as an instalment payer, the first instalment must be paid on or before 30 September.
The first instalment can be paid using your original rate notice. Reminder notices are sent for each subsequent instalment; however, it is the responsibility of the ratepayer to pay the instalments on time.
instalment amounts and payment dates are shown on the original rate notice.
If you have arrears and interest overdue from the previous financial year you must contact Council for a final payment figure on your arrears as interest will continue to be charged until paid in full.
The arrears and interest figures printed on your notice is taken as of the date of issue. You cannot participate in the instalment program unless all arrears are paid in full prior to your first instalment payment.
A payment card is available to enable payment of rates on a fortnightly or monthly basis at any Australia Post Office.
The payment card has been successful in giving ratepayers the opportunity to pay off their rates in smaller amounts instead of paying in a lump sum.
There is no extra charge to the ratepayer for using the card.
If you would like a card please contact Council on (03) 5494 1200.
Property owners having difficulty meeting rate payments should contact the Council's rates staff on (03) 5494 1200 or 1300 365 200. We have a range of payment options to assist those facing genuine financial hardship.
Frequently asked questions
When should rates be paid?
What if I cannot pay my rates?
What if I don't make an arrangement and I am late paying my rates?
Can I make regular part payments?
Who are the approved agencies for payment of rates?
When should rates be paid?
Rates should be paid in full by 15 February, unless you choose to pay by instalments.
Instalments are shown on the rate notice and are due by the following dates:
- 30 September
- 30 November
- 28 February
- 31 May
The first instalment can be paid using the original notice. Reminders are sent for the remaining three instalments.
What if I cannot pay my rates?
If you think you may not be able to pay by the due date and you believe you will have difficulties paying by instalments, please contact Council's rates office on (03) 5494 1200 as soon as possible. We have a number of options available to assist you and would be happy to discuss these with you in a confidential manner.
What if I don't make an arrangement and I am late paying my rates?
If paying by instalments, interest is charged from the date the instalment was due. If paying in full, the interest is calculated from the first instalment date 30 September for the first instalment component of the outstanding charge, then from November 30 for both overdue instalment amounts.
Council takes legal action for recovery of unpaid rates if all payment requests are ignored.
Can I make regular part payments?
Yes. You can make as many part payments as often as you please.
However it is important to understand that if you have an outstanding balance after February 15 interest will be charged on the outstanding balance.
If your preference is to pay using the quarterly instalment regime, you need to make sure that the instalment amounts are paid by their due dates.
Who are the approved agencies for payment of rates?
| Town |
Store |
Address |
| Boort |
Boort Resource and Information Centre |
119 Godfrey Street |
| Bridgewater |
Post Office |
4 Main Street |
| Dingee |
General Store |
18 Mack Street |
| Dunolly |
Rural Transaction Centre |
109 Broadway |
| Inglewood |
Bendigo Bank |
64 Brooke Street |
| Mitiamo |
General Store |
5 Joffre Street |
| Pyramid Hill |
Newsagency and Post Office |
12-14 Kelly Street |
| Tarnagulla |
Post Office |
101 Commercial Road |
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