Rates in the mail

Budget

All Golden Plains Shire ratepayers will receive the 2019/20 Rates Notice for their property soon, with notices now in the mail.

Local government has a responsibility to provide access to services and infrastructure for the benefit of all members of the community, and rates are a property tax raised to fund these services and to provide and maintain infrastructure.

The new-look Rates Notice details the Victorian Valuer-General's revaluation of each property and a clear list of the rates and charges that make up the total payment. On the back of the Notice and in the attached Rates Brochure are answers to the most frequently-asked rates questions.

The 2019-20 rate cap has been set by the Minister for Local Government at 2.5%. The cap applies to the General Rates and Municipal Charge and it's an average increase, which means the value of a property will determine if the rates increase is more or less than 2.5% in 2019/20.

For most residents, the annual Rates Notice is one of the larger bills households receive each year. While tax payments to fund the State and Federal Government is likely taken out of residents' income every fortnight, the contribution to community projects and services delivered by Local Government comes to ratepayers in one rates notice.

Rates can be paid in full in one payment by 15 February 2020, but that's just one way to pay. There is an easy instalment program with due dates spread out over the year at the end of September, November, February and May. Direct debit is popular for the instalment plan, or residents can receive instalment notices in the mail and choose their payment method.

This year's instalment dates are:

  • September 30
  • November 30
  • February 28
  • May 31

While paying rates is not much fun, it gets more complicated if payment dates are missed. If those options aren't possible, Council is happy to work out an arrangement that suits. Council appreciates that every ratepayer has their own situation and can help - just call Council's Rates Team at 5220 7111 for a confidential conversation.

To assist residents with not missing a payment, Council encourages ratepayers to follow Council's social media accounts to get a reminder post one month and one week prior to every rates instalment date. Council will also publish upcoming rates dates in the Gazette and Golden Plains Times.

For more information on rates, visit /residents/my-council/about-council/about-your-rates-and-valuations

View the Rates Brochure

View the Budget 2019/20

Pay your rates here

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