Flexibility available for all ratepayers

Ararat Rural City encourages ratepayers experiencing hardship to contact Council and learn about payment options, and support available when it comes to keeping up with their rates payments.

Council has a range of rate payment options available to the community, including a continuous direct debit plan with the option of paying weekly, fortnightly, or monthly across the year.

Ararat Rural City Council CEO Dr Tim Harrison said Council has introduced more flexible payment options to reduce the financial burden on residents and the business community.

“Some ratepayers may be doing it tough – enabling people to spread the cost of rates across the year with a payment plan offers a more manageable option,” Dr Harrison said.

“Ratepayers can choose how and when they’d like to make their repayments, giving residents and businesses more flexibility when it comes to rates.”

“We strongly encourage people to get in touch with Council to discuss the options and support available to find a solution that works best for them.”

Choosing to pay with a Direct Debit payment plan means:

• Ratepayers can choose any day of the week/fortnight, or date of the month to have their payments deducted

• The new options allow for payments to be spread across the whole 12 months, helping to reduce the burden

Our Direct Debit plans are available to all ratepayers at any time of the year. Paying by our auto calculated Direct Debit method ensures your rates are always paid on time and you don’t need to keep track of due dates or worry about interest for late payment.

If ratepayers who have elected to pay their rates in one lump sum are unable to pay by 15 February 2023 or are experiencing financial difficulty and wish to discuss the possibility of arranging a suitable payment plan, please call Ararat Rural City Council on (03) 5355 0200.