Following the recent bushfires and in recognition of the devastation suffered across the Shire of Murrindindi, rates payments for 2008/09 due and payable on 15 February 2009 were put on hold.

Council officers have now completed the identifying and recording of all properties destroyed by the fires and verified the boundary of the fire affected area with the assistance of the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

Council has  extended the due date for payment of rates to three separate categories 1 - those directly affected with loss of property, 2 - those living in the fire affected area – but not directly affected, and 3 - all other ratepayers outside the fire affected area.

1. If you have lost your house or major shedding as a result of the recent bushfires, Council’s contract valuer will prepare a supplementary valuation. You will receive a revised rate notice showing an amended property valuation, and your rates will be reduced accordingly.  It is anticipated that the revised rate notices will be issued by 31 May 2009.

The due date for payment of the 2008/09 rates on these properties has been extended until 30 June 2009.

If you are in this category and you who have already paid your 2008/09 rates, partial refunds will be issued in June 2009 according to the change in your property valuation.

2. If you live within the fire affected but have not lost your house or major shedding the due date for payment of the 2008/09 rates and service charges has been extended from 15 February 2009 until 31 May 2009.

Ratepayers within the fire affected area who have elected to pay their rates by installment, the third and forth installments are now due by 31 May 2009.

3. If your property is in an area not directly affected by the fires the due date for payment of the 2008/09 rates and service charges are now due by 17 April 2009.

For those ratepayers who have elected to pay their rates by instalment and have missed the third installment due on 28 February 2009, the due date for payment has been extended until 17 April 2009.  

Please note that letters will be sent to all ratepayers with outstanding rates.

Financial difficulty:

For any ratepayer experiencing financial difficulty regarding payment of rates they are encouraged to contact the rates department to discuss alternative payment arrangement.