Council Rates

Every year in Australia home owners have to pay council rates on their properties. People pay a few hundred dollars every year to the local council. The council spends this money on looking after roads, footpaths, parks, street lighting, libraries, leisure centres and other services. The council also spends a lot of money to collect hard rubbish from the streets twice a year.
Home owners can call the council if they have any questions regarding their rates. Staff who work at the council will answer any question the owners may have. People who own homes can also go on the council’s web site to check information for themselves.
The council normally sends a letter to the owners to remind them of the payment time. People can pay their council rate in one go or by installments. They can pay by credit card, cheque, phone or in cash. They can also pay at any Australia Post office if they like. If people don’t pay their rates on time, they have to pay interest and other charges. If someone has internet access, he or she can pay the rates online using the council’s web site.
If some people have financial problems and can’t pay on time, they can ring the council and discuss other payment options.