2012/13 Rates Schedule

Central Highlands Ratepayers are advised that the second quarter rates notice will be issued on January 14, 2013 with the discount period ending on February 13, 2013. This notice will consist of the General Rates and Water Consumption.

These Rates are normally issued in December, however Council is conscious of providing ratepayers with sufficient time between notices, and the third quarter notice will also be deferred to allow this.

The third quarter General Rates notice will be issued in March, with the discount period ending in April.

The fourth quarter notice (General Rates and Water Consumption) will be issued on schedule in May with the discount period ending in June.   

Central Highlands Regional Council would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. If you would like to discuss a payment plan for your rates, please call 1300 242 686 and ask to speak to a rates officer.

September 21 2012

Council wishes to advise that the rates for the first quarter 2012 2013 will be issued in early October. Council encourages all residential ratepayers to check their rates notices to ensure they are being rated against the correct residential category.

Residents who have a mailing address (including Post Boxes) that is different from the address of their rateable property may find initially that they have been charged the non-resident owner rate.

 

Rates Notices and Billing Periods

Rates in Central Highlands Region are levied Quarterly.

Ratepayers have 30 days to pay their rates to receive the 15% discount offered by Council. Water usage charges are also included on the 2nd and 4th quarter notices.

Supplementary Notices may also be issued at various times during the eyar to some ratepayers to account for changes to their services or unimproved valuations (for example, sewerage pedestal rates after building a new house on vacant land; commencing a garbage service, etc.)

These supplementary notice charges also attract a 15% discount providing all rates and charges are paid by the due date.

Discount and Pensioner Rebates

Rate payments must be recieved by the due date to receive a 15% discount. In order to take advantage of the discount we offer for early payment - the full amount, including any rate arrears and interest must be paid on or before the discount expiry date. Electronic payments processed after the nominated Payment Cut-off Time on the due date by your financial institution or bill payment service will not be eligible to receive discount.

Please note that the discount does not apply to State fire levies, water usage, rural fire levies, environmental levies and interest charges, and residents with rates in arrears aren't eligible for a discount until their arrears have been brought up to date. In addition, outstanding rates attract an interest charge of 11% pa, compounded daily.

The Queensland State Goverment will subsidise 20% (Maximum $180.00 pa) of the rates for approved pensioners by way of a rebate. Also, Council offers a subsidy of 50% for approved pensioners. Application forms for the rebate must be lodged at the Council Office. These forms are available from Council's offices or online here.

Payment of Rates

	In person: Payments can be made directly at the Council Chambers, 65 Egerton Street, Emerald or any of the Council Office locations at Capella, Blackater, Duaringa, Rolleston, Springsure and Tieri, between the hours of 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. Please ensure you bring along your current Rates Notice intact with Cash/Cheque/EFTPOS or Credit Card.
	Post: Mail your Cheque or Money Order together with the remittance slip from the bottom of the rate notice to: Central Highlands Regional Council, PO Box 21, Emerald QLD 4720 (only cheques or money orders are accepted by mail and should be made payable to "Central Highlands Regional Council") Receipts will not be issued unless requested. If a receipt is required, please tick where indicated on the remittance slip.
	Direct Deposits: Council will accept direct deposits to its bank account - Westpac Bank - BSB: 034-181; Account No: 000194. See the front of your notice for the Reference No. Where possible fax details of the deposit to the office on 1300 242 687. Note: Please allow sufficient processing time to ensure that your payment is received before close of business on the specified due date.
	BPay: Biller Code: 51805 Use the reference number on the front of your notice. Failure to do this may result in loss of discount.Contact your financial institution to make this payment directly from your cheque or saving account. Credit Card payment via this method is not accepted. Note: Please allow sufficient processing time to ensure that your payment is received before close of business on the specified due date.
	Post Billpay: Payments can be made in person at any Post Office, via  telephone on 13 18 16 or internet via http://postbillpay.com.au/. Please quote Biller Code 2436. EFTPOS may not be available from all Australia Post Offices.
	Credit Card: Please phone 13 18 16 or go to http://postbillpay.com.au/  to arrange payment. There is a maximum of $10,000.00 per transaction.
	Phone: To make payment directly to Council by Credit Card, please phone the General Enquiries Number. 1300 242 686.
	EFTPOS Facilities: are available from Council's offices. Most credit cards are accepted (eg. MasterCard, Visa). Amex  and Diners Club Cards are not accepted.