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Council
Late payment penalty interest
Under Section 6.51 of the Local Government Act 1995, Council may charge interest on overdue balances. Council has set the rate of interest at 11% pa, calculated daily. This rate is set in accordance with Local Government (Financial Management) Regulations 1996.
No Instalment Option Taken
Interest shall begin to accrue on rates and charges that remain unpaid after 35 days from the date of issue. Eligible pensioners and seniors are exempt from this provision.
Instalment Option Taken
Interest shall begin to accrue on any instalment payment that remains unpaid after the due date of the instalment, until such time as the instalment is paid. Eligible pensioners and seniors are exempt from this provision.
Consequences of default of payment
Where no election has been made to enter into a payment option or an alternative payment arrangement, and where rates and services charges remain unpaid after the due dates, legal action may be taken for their recovery. All costs associated with the legal action are recoverable from the Ratepayer and will be added to the account.
If payment is not received or no contact is made after the final notice expires the following steps will be taken:
- A Notice from the Shire’s debt collection agency will be issued to the landowner requesting payment within 7 days and advising of the impending legal action for non payment of the outstanding rates or service charges.
- If no payment is received or no payment arrangement made after the expiration of the 7 day letter, the Rates Department will request the debt collection agency to commence legal proceedings against the landowner/s of the property by issuing a general procedure claim. Legal costs are incurred and your credit rating is affected when the debt is lodged with the Court.
- If the landowner fails to acknowledge the service of the general procedure claim within 14 days, the debt collection agency will be requested to lodge an entry of judgement. The entry of judgement allows the Shire to proceed with any further legal action that may be required.
- Rates remaining unpaid after the service of the general procedure claim will result in the execution of a property and land seizure and sale order against goods and land. Further legal fees are now incurred.
For more information contact:
Vicki Scott, Senior Revenue Officer
- Hours
- Mon - Fri: 8.00am to 4.30pm
- Telephone
- 08 9780 5224
- Fax
- 08 9757 2512