Council's financial year is from 1 July to 30 June the following year.  Rates Notices are posted out to ratepayers around July each year, following the adoption of the budget by Council.

Methods of Payment

	PAYING OVER THE INTERNET Online rates payments visit this link. Mastercard and Visa accepted. CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS BY PHONE Call 1300 886 451 and follow the prompts. BIller Code and Customer Reference Number can be found on the front page of your rates notice. Mastercard and Visa accepted.
	BPAY - TELEPHONE & INTERNET BANKING Call your bank, credit union or building society to make this payment from your cheque, savings or credit card account. Biller Code and Customer Reference Number can be found on the front page of your rates notice.  More info: www.bpay.com.au
	DIRECT DEBIT Direct debit from a nominated bank account on the last day of the month or instalment dates as per the front page of your rates notice. Contact the Rates Officer for details.
	MAILING YOUR PAYMENT Complete, tear off and mail your instalment slip to: PO Box 973 Burnie TAS 7320. Cheques made payable to Burnie City Council.
	CENTRELINK  - CENTREPAY Use Centrepay to arrange regular deductions from your Centrelink payment. Simply call Centrelink, or contact the Burnie City Council on (03) 6430 5738 to request a Centrepay deduction form.
	POST OFFICE To pay this bill visit a post office, phone 13 18 16, or go to www.postbillpay.com.au.
	IN PERSON The Council offices are open for the payment of rates between 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday, by cash,cheque or credit card. Council Office, 80 Wilson Street BURNIE TAS 7320. Eftpos available. Please note: daily limits may apply.

Pensioner Assistance

Pensioners eligible for assistance under the Local Government (Rates and Charges Remissions) Act 1991, may receive a rebate as follows:

• State Government 30% (max. $374)
• State Fire Commission 20%

Eligibility - As at 1 July 2009 an applicant must possess a Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or DVA Gold card, endorsed TPI or war widow/widower and be residing in the property as their principal place of residence and be legally responsible for payment of rates.

If a Pension Remission has already been deducted from your rates you are NOT required to complete an application, unless your circumstances have changed.

Application forms are available from Customer Services and need to be completed no later that 31 March 2010.

Late Payment of Rates

The rates notice details when the instalments are due and payable.  If the amount due is not paid by the due date, interest will be charged on the amount due at a prescribed rate determined under section 128 (2) of the Local Government Act.  If any instalment is not paid within 21 days of the due date then the rates and charges for the whole year become due and Council may take recovery action without further notice.

Supplementary Valuations

In certain circumstances, due to physical changes to a property (eg additions, house built, new property created etc), valuations are required to be carried out between general valuations. These updated valuations are based on the same date and level of value as the existing valuation and may result in additional rates and charges as per the Local Government Act (1993) Part 9 Div 2/92.