Media Release

Thursday, 17 September 2009

Swan Hill Rural City Council is reminding ratepayers that the first instalment of rates is due by Friday, 16 October 2009.

Rate notices were issued throughout the municipality this week and although normally the first instalment would be due on 30 September, the date for payment has been extended to the 16 October due to a delay in rate notices being issued to ratepayers.

Residents can also elect to pay their rates in full by the 16 October date and in doing so, will receive a 2.5% discount on their rates.

Council's Customer Service and Revenue Manager Tony Heffer said that residents paying their rates via BPay or Postbillpay needed to be aware that the reference number on rate notices has changed.

“Residents will notice that the reference number for Postbillpay and BPay now has a maximum of 6 digits, instead of the longer numbers of the past,” he said.

“If you elect to pay you rates via Postbillpay or BPay please ensure you use your new rate notice with the new reference number.”

Mr Heffer added that ratepayers were also entitled to lodge an objection if they did not agree with the valuation attributed to their property.

“Ratepayers do need to be aware that objection forms have to be lodged by the 16 November 2009 – no forms can be accepted after this date,” he said.

“Objection forms are available from Council's Splatt Street offices in Swan Hill and the Herbert Street office in Robinvale as well as via the Swan Hill Rural City Council website.”

Rates are able to be paid in person at the Council offices, via mail, at the post office, by phone, Internet, direct debit or Bpay.

Ratepayers who have any queries relating to their rate notice can contact Council's Rates Department on 5036 2333.