Rates hardship for many

Andrew Mathieson
HOMEOWNERS in the Geelong region are struggling to pay their household rates, an Independent investigation has revealed.
The global economic crisis is having an impact on many unpaid or late bills, the City of Greater Geelong and Barwon Water have reported.
More customers are now choosing to pay bills in instalments and some are deferring payments during hardship.
The City has found a 17.3 per cent jump to a record 2615 households having failed to pay their house rates on time this year.
Instalment payments have also increased to 47 per cent for other ratepayers finding the financial pinch hard to bare.
Geelong councillor Stretch Kontelj had called for a rate freeze to help families when the City announces its annual budget next month.
“My challenge to council is that we should have a rate freeze for the next 12 months,” Cr Kontelj said.
The City’s house rates have continued to rise above the national inflation index for more than a decade, he said.
Council’s rates are nearly 80 per cent higher than they were in 1998.
City Hall rakes in more than $67 million from 100,000 homes.
A City spokesperson said council can provide a range of payment options, including monthly or fortnightly direct debit, deductions from Centrelink entitlements or other arrangements to ease the burden.
Barwon Water customers and communication general manager Luisa Munoz said paying quarterly instalments had proved a popular option for customers.
“We have seen an increase in the number of customers requesting to pay by instalments this year,” she said.
About six per cent of Barwon Water’s 120,000 bills are overdue.
Ms Munoz said customers finding it tough can apply for assistance under its hardship policy.
Payments can also be deducted from Centrelink entitlements, she said.
Ms Munoz said pensioners, not-for-profit organisations and people who “relied” on dialysis machines may be eligible for concessions or rebates.
Barwon Water can also “put customers in touch” with a financial counselling service.
The average household bill has risen $8 in the last year, to $591.
Ms Munoz said Barwon Water’s revenue will not drop during the recent economic downturn but continuing water restrictions will result in a fall.