Pay rates your way

By ALANA MITCHELSON

CARDINIA Shire Council is to introduce a new FlexiPay rates payment tool allowing residents to pay at times that best suit their budget.
The council will issue the 2016-’17 rates notices next month, with a greater range of payment options for ratepayers.
The new rates notice would highlight when the quarterly instalment is due and make it easier for ratepayers to understand how rates are calculated by showing a clearer breakdown of council, Victorian Government and waste charges.
Cardinia mayor Jodie Owen said council wanted to be as flexible as possible when it came to rate payments.
“We understand that people have different financial situations, and that times are tough for some individuals and families,” Ms Owen said.
“FlexiPay will be a great budgeting and time-saving option for many people. It means you can arrange to make smaller and more frequent payments over the year to reduce the impact of quarterly bills on your household budget.”
“Paying by quarterly instalments reflects a growing preference in the community towards paying smaller amounts over the course of a year rather than via a single lump sum.”
She said that while the council budgeted within the Victorian Government Fair Go Rates 2.5 per cent rate cap for 2016-’17, it is important for ratepayers to note that this will not mean that the total rates due on their rates notice will increase by 2.5 per cent.
Every two years the council is required to revalue each of its “rateable properties”. Given 2016 is a revaluation year, some properties will increase in value, while others may stay the same or decrease in value so ratepayers can expect to see a change in their rates based on property values.
“If your property value has increased less than the average since the last valuation, you will see a drop in the amount due on your rates notice,” Ms Owen said.
“However if your property value has gone up more than average, be prepared to see an increase above the 2.5 per cent. It all comes down to what your property is worth.
“If you feel that the valuation is not accurate you can object but keep in mind that an objection to the valuation does not remove the obligation to pay any rate or charge by the due date.“

Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents Association president Gloria O’Connor said the “new” rates notice format sounded similar to the current process.
“But it is very good to note the inclusion of more detail about how the property rates are calculated, plus the standard non-flexible extra charges of garbage removal and the State Government fire levy which is really important especially with the rates capping at 2.5 per cent being introduced in a property revaluation year,” Ms O’Connor said.

The rating period is from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017, with the first instalment due on 30 September.