By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
CARDINIA Shire ratepayers opting to pay their annual rates upfront will be stung with two sets in eight months due to a recent restructure.
As of the 2015-’16 financial year, the primary rate payment option has changed from one lump sum due in February to four instalments to be paid in September, November, February and May.
Ratepayers still wishing to pay the entire amount upfront will have to pay by the first instalment due date, more than four months earlier than the previous pay-in-full date of 15 February.
Residents have hit out at the changes, labelling council’s expectation that residents pay two lots of annual rates within eight months as “unreasonable.”
Lisa Rowe lives in Heritage Springs with her husband and two children, and says the family prefer to pay their rates upfront to alleviate the burden for the rest of the year.
“Throughout the year, a lot of other bills are coming in, it’s easy to lose track,” she said.
“It definitely puts us under a bit of pressure, particularly because I’m on maternity leave at the moment.
“The February due date gives people plenty of notice and a bit of time to save. It’s a huge expense.”
Despite registering a change of address with the council, their rate notice was sent to a previous rental property.
She added that Cardinia Shire had not adequately communicated changes to residents.
“People are a bit confused as to what’s expected and what’s going on.”
Cardinia Shire Council manager of Rates and Valuations Russell Hodges said the changes had been made in response to community feedback, but did not explain why the pay-in-full date had been brought forward.
“The primary payment option has changed from one lump sum payment in February to four instalments in September, November, February and May,” he said.
“The decision was made in response to feedback from residents that it was more convenient to pay instalments rather than one lump sum payment.
“This change also brings Cardinia Shire Council in line with most other councils in Victoria.”
He said that council had publicised the changes through various outlets.
“These changes have been communicated to residents via Connect magazine which is delivered to all households, a media release distributed via a number of channels, council’s website and the rates brochure sent to all ratepayers along with the rate notice.”
The due date for residents who wish to pay in full is now 30 September.
