2021/22 Rates Notice Distribution

Ballarat property owners can expect to receive their new look 2021/22 Rates Notice from early next week.

This year will see a new payment option, with monthly instalments available to make the process easier and more manageable for ratepayers.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said the opportunity to pay by monthly instalment provides a welcomed and easier payment option.

“After holding rates to a zero per cent increase in 2020/21, this year’s rates will reflect the rising costs associated with delivering the crucial infrastructure and services needed to support the growing Ballarat community,” he said.

This year Council has applied the 1.5 per cent rate cap set by the Victorian Government. However, changes in individual property rates may be higher or lower than the rate cap depending on the change in individual property valuations.

Cr Moloney said that 2021/22 rates and charges will contribute $134 million to the City of Ballarat’s budget and help fund a range of services and projects.

“This critical revenue, combined with $58.8 million in Victorian and Australian Government grants, supports more than 80 City of Ballarat services and 120 plus capital works projects to be delivered by Council this financial year. Rates also help fund the maintenance of over $2 billion in public assets under Council management,” he said.

City of Ballarat has multiple options for ratepayers who are experiencing financial hardship and may find it hard to pay their rates, including deferral options, pensioner concessions and a COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy introduced last year.

“We know the past 18 months have been extremely difficult financially for many people in our community as a result of the pandemic,” Cr Moloney said.

We have systems in place to offer support, so I really encourage anyone who may need to seek one of our financial hardship options to contact our Customer Service team on 5320 5500 and ask to speak to our Revenue department to explore what’s available.”

Ratepayers are now able to pay their rates through 10 monthly instalments via Direct Debit on the 15th of each month from September this year to June 2022.

For further information on your rates please visit www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/property/rates.