Rates Resolution 2019 - 2020

Primarily there are two methods of paying rates:

1. one sum due to be paid by 23 August 2019 or 60 days after the issue of the rates notice which ever is later, or
2. 4 instalments, (being approximately one quarter of all rates and charges and with rate arrears being incorporated into the first instalment) the due date by which the same are to be paid being:

23 August 2019               25 October 2019                      31 January 2020            27 March 2020

Mailing Payment: West Coast Council, PO Box 63 Queenstown TAS 7467

Credit Card Payment: Complete form on rates notice and post to above address or phone (03) 6471 4700 and provide your details

In Person: The Council office is open for payments between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday, by cash, eftpos, cheque or credit card.  Payment can also be made at Council Agencies, located at the Zeehan and Strahan Post Offices and at Rosebery District High School.

Direct Debit: We understand life can be busy enough without having to worry about when bills are due and how to pay them. We can help even out the impact of your Council rates by making payments more often. Paying your rates by Direct Debit gives you peace of mind that they are taken care of and paid on time. You don’t need to lift a finger to pay it - the amount will be automatically taken out according to the arrangement you have made with us.  Simply fill in the Direct Debit Request Form. All forms can be found from the Homepage.

In person, by phone or on the Internet. Use POSTbillpay at any Post Office in Australia, by phone on 13 13 16 or internet at http://www.postbillpay.com.au/

Centrepay - the east way to pay your bills and expenses: Centrepay is a voluntary bill-paying service which is free for Centrelink customers. Use Centrepay to arrange regular deductions form your Centrelink payment. You can start or change a deduction at any time. The quickest way to do this is through your Centrelink account online.

Get your rates notice sent straight to your online or mobile bank

BPAY View will send your rates notice straight to the same online or mobile bank you use to pay them, saving you from shuffling paper. With convenient email, SMS or bank message reminders* and secure online or mobile access, BPAY View makes it easy to pay on time, every time.

*Reminder options may vary by each financial institution

With your bills and statements all in one place, it’s easy to view, pay and store them at the click of a mouse or the swipe of a finger.

Council's BPAY View Biller Code is 817981 and your reference number is located beside the BPAY logo on your rates notice.

Discount for Early Payment

A 5% discount will apply to current rates paid in full by the first instalment date. The amount of the discount is clearly identifed on your rates notice. Please ensure you do not deduct the discount amount twice prior to payment.

Defaults and Penalties on Instalment Payments

Under section 124(5) of the Act, if a ratepayer fails to pay any rates or instalments of rates and charges within 21 days of the date on which the rate or instalment was due, the ratepayer is to immediately pay the full amount of the unpaid rates and charges for the financial year. If any rates or instalments of rates and charges are not paid on or before the date they fall due, then interest at the prescribed percentage determined under section 128(2) of the Act is payable for the period during which it is unpaid.

Remission of Rates & Charges

Council will allow pensioners eligible for the State Government remission a further 10% remission on their rates. the form for a Pension Remission can also be found from the homepage of this website.

Council also recognises that in some instances ratepayers may be facing financial difficulty and therefore offer payment of rates by arrangement with the General Manager. In such instances rate payments must still clear the four instalment dates set out above.

Should you have outstanding rates Council will issue a reminder notice.  Should you not meet the terms and conditions outlined on this reminder notice Council will proceed to commence legal action to recover outstanding rates and costs.  If you have outstanding rates and costs please contact Council's Revenue Officer as soon as possible to avoid further legal action.

It is important that Council has up-to-date details regarding ratepayers contact details. To avoid unnecessary delays and problems, please complete the Change of Postal Address Form if your details have recently changed.