Published on 23 September 2026
At its September Meeting, Council resolved to undertake a comprehensive review of its Revenue Collection and Hardship policy. That important work will involve consultation with the community.
The review is in response to the ongoing challenge in collecting rate revenue in a timely manner.
Unpaid rates are approaching $6m at 30 June 2026 and that balance has grown steadily over recent years. With more than 1000 residential ratepayers overdue, that outstanding balance represents over 20% of Council’s annual rate revenue.
This is a serious concern from two standpoints. Firstly, some community members must be experiencing genuine financial hardship and, secondly, Council as an organisation is impeded in its service delivery and capital works program through constrained cashflows.
It is of significant concern that only around 200 of 8100 residential rate-paying properties are currently benefiting from payment arrangements or provisions of the hardship policy. The absence of an arrangement adds the extra burden of penalty interest charges and highlights the urgency in reviewing the collection policy and procedures.
I urge any ratepayer experiencing difficulties in paying rates on time to contact Council to discuss an appropriate payment arrangement. That will negate the application of penalty interest charges. And of course you are encouraged to participate in the upcoming review and consultation.