About one in seven Brimbank ratepayers are behind on their rates bill.
Figures obtained by the Star Weekly reveal that Brimbank council is owed $7.9 million in rate arrears, with about 11,000 property owners – 14.5 per cent of all property owners in the municipality – having an arrears balance for 2013-14.
One ratepayer owes the council $22,700 in overdue rates. The revelation comes on the eve of the council releasing its draft budget and rate increases.
Corporate services director Doris Cunningham said this ratepayer was one of 15.25 per cent of people in arrears who had negotiated a repayment arrangement.
The council has also taken legal action against 4.7 per cent of those in arrears to recover the money.
Ms Cunningham said financial difficulties, loss of employment and family problems were common reasons given for failing to make payments.
“Council issues instalment notices prior to respective due dates and encourages ratepayers who are experiencing difficulties in paying the account to contact council to discuss repayment options,” she said.
“Council monitors all unpaid accounts. It does have a hardship policy and provides various payment options such as fortnightly and monthly direct debit to assist residents.”
The council offers a $25 rebate to pensioners, on top of a $202.90 state government rebate.
The council is also owed $1.8 million in unpaid fines that are being pursued by the Sheriff’s Office
The unpaid fines include parking, pet registration, litter and smoking infringements, and local law and Food Act breaches.
Brimbank’s five libraries have also stung bookworms for late returns, damaged resources and replacement library cards.
Last year, the council ran a library fines amnesty and a food for fines program that allowed people to donate non-perishable food in exchange for fines being wiped from their
library card.
Community well-being director Neil Whiteside said 515 overdue library items were returned and more than 2100 items of food donated in November 2013.
Meanwhile, the state government has introduced legislation to streamline
fine collection and clamp down on serial offenders.
Under the plan, all fines owed by a person would be consolidated into one account, allowing them to better manage their payments.
“This will provide clearer details of people’s obligations and responsibilities and make it easier to identify and respond to people who need help,” Attorney-General Robert Clark said.
“These reforms will help sort out those who won’t pay from those who can’t, and provide improved options for vulnerable people.”
