Property owners unable to pay the amount due on their rate notice by the due date are encouraged to contact Council immediately to negotiate an instalment plan as soon as possible.
To participate in Council’s Rate Instalment Scheme, ratepayers can complete the instalment application on the back of their rate notice and return it by:
Approved payment arrangements, calculated to have rates paid by 30 June, can be an interest-free arrangement.
Alternatively, complete the rate instalment application form(PDF, 324KB) and return to Council via one of the above methods.
Rate Instalment Scheme conditions
Ratepayers may choose to pay their rate account by instalments subject to the following conditions:
- The instalment amount is determined by taking the gross amount outstanding and dividing by the number of payments required to finalise the arrangement by 30 June each year.
- The ratepayer must select the instalment payment option by signing the instalment form and returning it to Council as soon as possible. Alternatively, a written application via email is acceptable.
- Should an instalment application be received after the due date listed on the notice, interest charges will apply until the date the instalment plan is approved.
- No reminder notices for instalments will be issued.
- Instalment payments are due on the 21st day of each month. Payment on an alternate date or by weekly or fortnightly instalments can be approved upon application.
- Ratepayers will be advised in writing when their application is approved and provided with an instalment schedule. If confirmation is not received before the nominated commencement date, please contact Council to confirm approval.
- Payment via Direct Debit (where the ratepayer authorises Council to debit their nominated account) is only an option for monthly instalments on the 21st of the month. Weekly or fortnightly instalments cannot be paid by direct debit and must be paid by an alternate method as per the agreed schedule.
- The February water consumption amount must be paid separately to the regular instalments by the due date on the Water Notice. Failure to pay the February Water Notice by its due date will result in interest charges applying to the total debt;
- If payment of the February Water Notice by its due date is not possible, ratepayers may apply in writing within 30 days of the date of issue of the Water Notice to add the amount to their existing payment plan. If approved, instalments will be recalculated and advised accordingly.
- Instalment plans for the current rates and charges are approved as interest free. Payments must be maintained as approved to retain an interest free arrangement.
- Should an instalment not be received by the due date, the total amount outstanding will become due and payable, and the ratepayer will forfeit the right to participate in the scheme. Interest charges will apply from the day after the due date of the unpaid instalment. Interest is charged at 12.19% per annum, compounded on daily balances.
For other payment options for your rates notice, click here.
Council issues rates reminders via post, email and SMS.
Keep your details up to date to ensure you receive the reminders by logging into Online Services and lodging a new Customer Service Request to change your address.
Overdue rates accrue interest from the day following the due date at a rate of 12.19 per cent per annum, calculated on daily balances. Please contact Council immediately to discuss payment options if rates for your property are outstanding.
For further information regarding the terms and conditions of sale, please view the Terms and Conditions – Rate Arrears Auction(PDF, 722KB).
Queensland’s Local Government Regulation 2012 permits Council to sell the land if rates remain unpaid for 3 or more years for land with a dwelling or after 12 months for vacant land or commercial properties. It is Council’s policy to conduct sale of land auctions on an annual basis in order to recover outstanding rates.
If payment of all outstanding rates and charges relating to a property on the sale list is receipted by Council before the day of the auction, that particular property will be withdrawn from the auction proceedings.