2026/27 FINANCIAL POLICIES · Attachment 8 - General Rates and Charges Debt Management and Recovery Policy

Attachment 8 – General Rates and Charges Debt Management and Recovery Policy

 Any Council agreement to allow a deferment of rates will require the ratepayer to adhere to
 an approved payment plan, and, in return for the deferment, to pay an additional amount
 equivalent to the interest that would have been applied had the deferment not been
 approved.

 Council will consider applications for instalment payment plans submitted on the approved
 form or as detailed in acceptable written or electronic form.

 Council will assess applications for instalment payment plans entailing payments being
 made at least monthly and the outstanding balance being cleared by the end of the rating
 period of the same financial year (31 December or 30 June).

 At the discretion of the Revenue Services Manager, Council may accept, though it will not
 encourage, instalment payment plans that fall outside the above-mentioned timeframes
 where there are extenuating circumstances and where the balance owing will be cleared
 prior to the due date of the next rate levy. Consideration will be given to whether the
 applicants have adhered to previous payment plans.

 Council will not agree to an instalment payment plan where the proposed duration will not
 ensure extinguishment of the debt in a reasonable time.

 Where an instalment payment plan meets the criteria set by Council and is approved,
 written acceptance of the plan will be provided to the ratepayer. This correspondence will
 also advise that the outstanding account may be referred to Council’s debt collection
 agency if the ratepayer does not adhere to the approved plan.

 Instalment payment plans will be reviewed regularly to confirm ratepayer compliance.

 Payment Plan Default

 Where payments have not been received in accordance with the approved payment plan,
 the ratepayer will be advised in writing of the default and the account may be referred to
 Council’s debt collection agency without further notice to the ratepayer. A payment plan
 may be reinstated if the arrears under the plan are paid. A payment plan may be
 renegotiated where there has been substantial compliance with it.

 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 Councillors
 Councillors consider and adopt the Policy.

 CEO and Executive Team
 The CEO and Executive Team endorse the Policy for Council adoption and provide
 leadership and commitment in complying with the Policy and relevant legislation and
 documents.

 Revenue Services
 The Revenue Services branch oversees the administration of the Policy, including the
 management of the debt collection process, and provide aged debt reports and other
 necessary information to the Executive Team for review. An annual report is to be
 presented to Council where properties are recommended for sale due to overdue rates and
 charges.



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