Hepburn Shire Council is seeking community feedback to inform a review of its Revenue Collection and Financial Hardship Policy, with the organisation bringing forward the review in response to a rising level of unpaid rates.
The Council says that of its approximately 8,000 residential ratepayers, around 1,000 currently have overdue rates, yet only 200 are on payment plans.
Rates are Council’s primary source of revenue and fund essential community services and infrastructure as identified by the the Council Plan 2025–2029. However, with rates arrears of over $5 million, it is impacting Council’s cash flow which will be taken into account as part of the review and update of Council’s Long Term Financial Plan, said Mayor, Tony Clark.
Mayor Clark said that Council was inviting the community to have their say to help ensure it continued to support ratepayers who may be experiencing financial hardship.
“We also want to hear the community’s views on how Council can improve the collection of overdue rates and strengthen payment options,” he said.
“This includes feedback on payment plans, hardship applications and other ways we can help ratepayers manage their rates, while improving the collection of outstanding amounts.”
A survey is available until Monday 19 October on https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/revenue-collection-and-financial-hardship-policy-review.
