Payment of rates

Courtesy letters

In January each year, Council prepares courtesy letters to notify residents of upcoming rate payment deadlines. It is also an opportunity for residents to seek further information with any queries they may have about their latest rates notices.

People choosing to pay their rates in full have until 15 February, but Council is encouraging anyone with questions about exemptions to their Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) or municipal charge to get in touch before then.

Applications for exemptions from the FSPL and municipal charge can be made to Council on a single farm enterprise application form for more than one farming property.

For help with any rates matter, please call (03) 5494 1200. There is also further information around the calculation and payment of rates and other frequently asked questions available in this section.

Payment methods

Details of payment methods are shown on the rate notice and include the following methods:

Method How
Website Council's secure payments using Visa or Mastercard (rates notice required) 

 

Secure Payment Portal
Council offices EFTPOS by using Council's secure banking portal by phoning 1300 885 175 using Loddon Shire Council ID Number "271197"
In person via cash, cheque, credit card or EFTPOS
Australia Post In person at any Post Office
Rates payment card
BPAY Through your participating Bank, Credit Union or Building Society directly from your cheque, savings or credit account (rates notice required)
Direct debit

Instalment amounts will be deducted from your nominated bank account. To achieve this, you will need to complete the Direct Debit Application form first and mail it to Loddon Shire Council P.O. Box 21 Wedderburn 3518 or deliver in person to Council’s Wedderburn Office
 EzyBill

Once registered with EzyBill,  you will receive notifications in your email inbox when a notice has been issued. The email will contain the notice and a link to enable you to both view and pay directly from the EzyBill portal. 

EzyBill
 Centrepay

Use Centrepay to make regular deductions from your Centrelink payments. Centrepay is a voluntary and easy payment option available to Centrelink customers. For more information on how to set up your Centrepay deductions contact Council or go to Services Australia Centrepay

To register you will need Council's Centrelink Reference Number which is 555 054 769J. 

Alternatively you can fill in Council's Centrepay Authorisation Form(PDF, 138KB) and email to: loddon@loddon.vic.gov.au
Mail Detach the payment slip at the perforation and mail with cheque to Loddon Shire Council, PO Box 21, Wedderburn 3518
Approved agencies In person (see list of approved agencies at the bottom of this page)

Payment due dates

Full payment

If you elect to pay the full amount as a lump sum, it is due to be paid by:

  • 15 February.

Quarterly instalments

Instalments are due for payment on or before:

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

To be recognised as an instalment payer, the first instalment must be paid on or before 30 September.

The first instalment can be paid using your original rate notice. Reminder notices are sent for each subsequent instalment; however, it is the responsibility of the ratepayer to pay the instalments on time.

Instalment amounts and payment dates are shown on the original rate notice.

Payment of arrears and interest

If you have arrears and interest overdue from the previous financial year you must contact Council for a final payment figure on your arrears as interest will continue to be charged until paid in full.

The arrears and interest figures printed on your notice is taken as of the date of issue. You cannot participate in the instalment program unless all arrears are paid in full prior to your first instalment payment.

Changed address?

Please complete the Change of address(PDF, 912KB) form and return to Council

Rates payment card

A payment card is available to enable payment of rates on a fortnightly or monthly basis at any Australia Post Office.

The payment card has been successful in giving ratepayers the opportunity to pay off their rates in smaller amounts instead of paying in a lump sum.

There is no extra charge to the ratepayer for using the card.

If you would like a card please contact Council on (03) 5494 1200.

In financial difficulty?

If you think you may not be able to pay by the due date and you believe you will have difficulties paying by instalments, please contact Council's rates office on (03) 5494 1200 as soon as possible. We have a number of options available to assist those facing genuine financial hardship and would be happy to discuss these with you in a confidential manner.

Rate Notices – Delivery via Email with EzyBill

EzyBill - receive your rates notices electronically

For 2020/21 Council has implemented the ability for ratepayers to register online to receive their rate notices electronically. The system used is called “EzyBill” and is safe, securely hosted and easy to use. Once you register, you will receive future rate notices electronically delivered to your email and EzyBill registered account. You will need a copy of your latest rate notice to register.

EzyBill - Register online

Email

Once registered, you will receive notifications in your email inbox when a notice has been issued. The email will contain the notice and a link to enable you to both view and pay the account at that time should you wish to do so. Overtime, the system will also build an archive of previously issued notices for your convenience and future reference.

Ezybill - Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is Ezybill 100% Australian owned and operated?

Yes, Ezybill is 100% Australian owned, developed and operated by Lane Communications.

Who owns Ezybill?

Lane Communications, is a privately owned, medium sized South Australian group of companies and Ezybill is an ASIC registered trading name.

Where does Ezybill store its data?

Lane Communications securely stores all of our clients captured data, hosted websites and cloud services etc, at 101 Mooringe Avenue, Camden Park, South Australia.

What guarantees does Loddon Shire Council provide to ratepayers that Ezybill securely protects their personal information?

Lane Communications complies to ISO/IEC 27001:2013 for data security management that complies with Loddon Shire Council’s privacy and confidentiality requirements associated with managing sensitive information of Loddon Shire Council’s customer’s finance, assets and other personal information.

Ezybill also comply with and have legal obligations to:

  • The Australian Privacy Principals
  • The Privacy Act 1998
  • The Australian Government Information Security Manual
  • The Protective Security and Policy Framework
  • SA Police security screening of Lane Communications’ staff on an annual basis

What guarantees does Loddon Shire Council provide to ratepayers that Ezybill doesn’t on-sell to third parties non-identifying information about ratepayers?

Lane Communications, for the past 15 years, has been contracted to Loddon Shire Council for the production of their rate notices, including electronic distribution and, as a legal binding agreement, is not permissible to on-sell or allow access to third parties. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What if I don't make an arrangement and I am late paying my rates?

If paying by instalments, interest is charged from the date the instalment was due. If paying in full, the interest is calculated from the first instalment date 30 September for the first instalment component of the outstanding charge, then from November 30 for both overdue instalment amounts.

Council takes legal action for recovery of unpaid rates if all payment requests are ignored.

Can I make regular part payments?

Yes. You can make as many part payments as often as you please.

However it is important to understand that if you have an outstanding balance after February 15 interest will be charged on the outstanding balance.

If your preference is to pay using the quarterly instalment regime, you need to make sure that the instalment amounts are paid by their due dates.

Who are the approved agencies for payment of rates?

 Town  Store  Address
 Boort  Boort Resource and Information Centre  119 Godfrey Street
 Bridgewater  Post Office  4 Main Street
 Dingee  General Store  18 Mack Street
 Dunolly  Rural Transaction Centre  109 Broadway
 Inglewood  Bendigo Bank  64 Brooke Street
 Mitiamo  General Store  5 Joffre Street
 Pyramid Hill  Newsagency and Post Office  12-14 Kelly Street
 Tarnagulla  Post Office  101 Commercial Road

 

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