ABOUT RATES

Why do we have rates?

Your rates help fund a range of services provided by Council including street cleaning and lighting, maintenance of local roads, footpaths and drainage, garbage and recycling services, as well as a wide range of community services ranging from Maternal and Child Health to Aged Services. It also contributes to the Ballarat Aquatic Centre, the Ballarat libraries, the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Her Majestys Theatre, maintaining Lake Wendouree and the Botanical Gardens, recreation reserves and playgrounds.

Payments via instalments or lump sum

Instalments
In order to be eligible for payment by instalments, the first instalment must be paid by 30 September 2011. Reminder notices will be issued to eligible instalment payers for the second, third and fourth instalments. Payment by direct debit is now available if paying by instalments, to apply download the Direct Debit Request - Service Agreement (PDF - 54KB).

Due dates
1st instalment 30 September 2011
2nd instalment 30 November 2011
3rd instalment 28 February 2012
4th instalment 31 May 2012

Direct Debit from your nominated Bank Account is available to ratepayers who elect to pay by four instalments, as detailed on your rate notice.

Lump sum
Rates may be paid annually by a lump sum on or before: 15 February each year.

Alternative payment option
You can make regular payments, of any amount, off your rates at any time. However, if you choose to do this you will not be regarded as an instalment payer, and any balance outstanding after 15 February 2012 will be regarded as overdue and will attract penalty interest from 1 July 2011 until paid in full.

Penalty interest at the rate of 10.5% p.a. will be charged on overdue rates and charges.

See also 'Payments' for a choice of payment options.

Change of mailing address, ownership or occupancy

All changes of ownership, occupancy or mailing address are the responsibility of the property owner. Change of mailing address can be made over the phone, but written authorisation from the owner may be required in some instances. All other changes must be notified in writing.

Pensioner Concessions

The Local Government Act 1989 provides that eligible pensioners shall receive a reduction of rates levied.  The State Government funded Municipal Rates Concession offers a discount on rates up to a yearly maximun of $193.40 for 2011/12.

Application must be made via a Application for Concession on Rates - 2011 (PDF - 58KB) (also available from our Customer Service Centre by contacting 5320 5500). The Pensioner Concession Card or a photocopy of the card must be presented with the application form (view Eligible Concession Cards 2011-12 (PDF - 674KB) . Provided individual pension details have not changed, it is not necessary to re-apply for the concession each year.

Eligible pensioners who live alone in their own home and are solely responsible for payment of rates and charges on that property, will be entitled to receive an additional rate waiver of $65, funded by Council.

Note: a Health Care Card does not entitle the holder to a rate reduction.

Arrears and Penalties for Failing to Pay

Any arrears of rates shown on your rate notice are considered overdue and should be paid immediately. Arrears will continue to accrue interest (currently at the rate of 10.5% p.a.) until paid in full. Council may, at any time after the issue of your rate notice, take legal action to recover any arrears owing.

Late payments will be charged interest in accordance with section 172 of the Local Government Act 1989 at the rate set under section 2 of the Penalty Interest Rate Act 1983 (currently 10.5% p.a.). Full payments not paid by 15 February 2012 will incur interest from 1 July 2011. Instalment payments not paid by the relevant due dates will be charged interest from the due date of the instalment.

Rights of Appeal

Rates or Charges

Under Section 184 of the Local Government Act 1989, a person who is aggrieved by a rate or charge has a right of appeal to the County Court (must be within 60 days after first receiving written notice of the rate or charge).

Special Rates and Charges

A person may apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for a review of a decision of a Council imposing a special rate or charge on that person. Any such appeal must be lodged within 30 days after the issue of the notice to the person of the special rate or special charge (section 185 of the Local Government Act 1989). Details regarding the specific ground of appeal and further information can be obtained by contacting Council's Revenue Section.