The City of Greater Bendigo has begun sending out 62,000 rates notices to property owners either by post or via email this week.
There are some changes to the rates notice this year to remove the larger financial burden of an annual payment and encourage smaller and more regular payments.
The four instalment due dates are:
- September 30, 2024
- December 2, 2024
- February 28, 2025
- June 2, 2025
The City encourages flexible payment options that provide smaller, regular payments to meet instalment timelines. Fortnightly, monthly direct debits and Centrepay remain popular ways to pay amongst ratepayers.
Residents can access information regarding their rates via the 'Rates' page on the City website.
Topics include:
- How to pay your rates, including setting up a payment plan and direct debit application forms
- How rates are calculated
- What is included in your rates
- How to change your address or receive your rates via email
- Understanding your valuation
- Financial Hardship Guidelines
The full payment of rates in February each year is no longer an option.
Annual rates that are paid in full by September 30, 2024 will continue to receive a 1.5 per cent discount.
Director Corporate Performance Jess Howard said the payment change was in response to the current cost of living challenges facing the community.
“This is to encourage more ratepayers who are facing financial hardship to seek and engage with City assistance much earlier, and for appropriate supports and arrangements to be put into place to help them,” Ms Howard said.
“As the annual rates notice is one of the larger household bills received each year, we know that most ratepayers prefer to have smaller, regular payments over the financial year either by instalments or flexible payment options rather than the financial stress of paying a lump sum.
“It’s the same way that many households manage bills from utility companies, insurance, telecommunication companies and Vic Roads, who also offer monthly or quarterly billing. It helps to reduce the burden of a lump sum so ratepayers can manage more predictable and manageable payment schedules.
“The City understands this is a change for some ratepayers who have been used to a single payment in February for the financial year. However, the upward trend in those experiencing financial hardship over the past year led to Councillors voting to support this change in June.
“The City’s Financial Hardship Guidelines also allow for flexible payment arrangements, and further information can be found on the City’s website, including an online form to set up a payment plan or direct debit online.
“It is important that the City takes into consideration how we can best support ratepayers facing financial hardship in the current financial climate in a way that is equitable between ratepayers and enables the City to continue delivering services for the community.”
Rates and charges make up around 60 per cent of the City’s Budget income aligned with the Council Plan (Mir wimbul). The $168M operating Budget delivers 68 important daily services in the community from waste services, street cleaning, maintenance of parks and recreation facilities, to maternal and child health, tourism, libraries and much more. Rates revenue also contributes to capital works in the 2024/2025 Budget, including critical infrastructure such as footpaths, roads, flood mitigation and investment in community and recreational assets.
A brochure has been included with the rates notice which details the various organic, recycle and waste bin prices for different households, how rates are calculated, pensioner concession eligibility, and how rates revenue funds important services valued in the community.
A 2.75 per cent rate cap increase has been set by the Essential Service Commission in line with the Victorian Government’s Fair Go Rates System. The rate cap applies to the overall rating revenue collected across the entire municipality, not just an individual property. Rates are distributed across all rate types based on valuations.
The City is not involved in deciding how much a property is worth. All properties are valued independently by the Valuer-General of Victoria annually at the start of each year.
The valuers determine valuations by collecting and analysing property sales, planning and building permits, planning information, external and internal inspection data, and occupancy data.
These valuations are provided to the City for use in calculating rates. If you disagree with your property valuation, objections must be lodged directly with the Valuer-General within two months of the date of issue of the rates notice.
The rates notice includes the rates plus the Bin and Waste Services Charge* (the City does not make a profit from operating a range of waste services in the community) and the Fire Services Levy which is collected by the City on behalf of the Victorian Government.