PLAN TO EASE REGO SLUG PAIN
PAYING car registration bills in quarterly instalments may soon become a reality with movement in Spring Street to provide an alternative to the hefty annual charge.
State Roads Minister Luke Donnellan has confirmed the State Government will review registration renewal payment options with calls from peak motoring group RACV to make the changes sooner rather than later.
Vehicle registration increased by $12.30 to a $748 grand total in the Geelong region last month as part of indexed changes to kick off the new financial year with the rural charge rising $11.20 to $686.40 for motorists along the Surf Coast and other regional locales.
“We understand the cost of registration is significant and most Victorians want more flexible payment options,” Mr Donnellan said.
“We are currently reviewing vehicle registration re- newal options for improvement opportunities.”
RACV policy general manager Brian Negus said the Garden State was lagging behind most of Australia with its rigid annual payment system.
“RACV supports more frequent payments for vehicle registrations, including quarterly and half- yearly direct debit payment options,” Mr Negus said.
“This would make it easier for families to manage their budgets, and be consistent with other states.”
South Barwon MP Andrew Katos said skyrocketing power prices meant more Geelong families were under strain when the annual registration bill from VicRoads arrived in the mail.
“Car registration has become a bigger concern because a lot of families are doing it tough with electricity bills that keep rising and rising,” the Coalition MP said.
“(Premier) Daniel Andrews decided to close down Hazelwood (power station), he’s totally inactive on power prices, so people are under pressure when it comes to rego. If you’ve got two cars, that’s roughly $1500 you have to pay in a lump sum, so we support quarterly instalments.”
Torquay car enthusiast Gerry Thomas owns a gleaming 1968 MG and is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.
He said car registration costs had grown substantially since the classic came off the production line.
“I used to pay the full regis- tration on it and the other cars until I changed to vehicle club permit,” he said.
“If you’ve got two or more cars, registration can get pretty expensive when the yearly bill comes around.”
A contemporary Holden Commodore family car, garaged in the Melbourne metropolitan area and used privately, in 1987 would have had a total registration charge of $319.96. By 1997, the total registration charge would have been $442.50 and a decade ago it stood at $578.40.