About Council Rates
Online Payments for Rates
Link to Online Payments
Link to Rates Direct Debit Request Form.pdf (76.72 kb)
For the 2011/2012 year the annual rates are payable by four instalments - the final instalment payable by 31 May 2012.
Council provides a wide range of services for the benefit of the community and your rates aid in providing many of these. These services include managing and maintaining infrastructure such as local roads, libraries, sporting grounds, parks and playgrounds, rubbish and recycling services. We have prepared the following information to assist in understanding the role of Council rates today and how the rating system works.
For specific information about your rates or other general rating enquiries, please call Council's Customer Service Centre on 9205 2200 between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
LInk to Rates Forms
Single Payment
Council no longer offers the single payment option. If the payment of rates by four instalments is not possible you should contact Council's Rate Department to discuss alternative payment options by calling 9205 2200.
What are rates?
Council rates are a property tax and levied on each individual property throughout the Hume City Council area. Their purpose is to support the Council in providing services for the benefit of all residents. Councils use property values as the basis for calculating how much each property owner pays in rates.
Who has to pay rates?
If you are the owner of a property in Hume City you will receive a rate notice and are required to pay rates.
Why do we pay rates?
Each council collects rates from residents and businesses in its municipality to help fund its local community infrastructure and service obligations. This helps the Council create and maintain an attractive, high quality and sustainable world class city providing excellence in services and infrastructure.
Where do our rates go?
Money raised through rates is used by Hume City Council to maintain local infrastructure and assets and to provide services to our community. The funds generated each year from Council rates are used to provide essential local government services.
Some of these services include:
- footpaths and roads
- garbage, recycling and green waste collections
- maternal and child health
- library and community services
- parks and landscapes
- provision of bus shelters and other public seating
- recreation centres
- sporting clubs and playgrounds
- local laws and animal control
- provision of parking areas and control of illegal parking
- arts and cultural services
- festivals, events and celebrations
- street lighting and water management
Do I get a discount on my rates if I don't use all the services?
Rates represent a tax for local government, based on the Capital Improved Value of a property. Rates are not a fee for service and cannot be equated to the levels of services used. People use different services at various times. Council provides services required by the whole community and the community shares these overall costs.
What rates do I pay?
Hume City Council levies the one general rate across all classes of properties. This includes the standard issue of a 140 litre garbage bin and a 240 litre recycle bin. Ratepayers who opt for waste services in excess of the standard issue pay extra for each service.