ARE outstanding rates part of a soft revolt?

Goondiwindi Regional Council Financial Services Officer Bradley Pyne said he was disappointed 8.8percent of rates, representing 600 rate notices, were in arrears.

“Last year, we’d got it down to one percent.

“I don’t know whether it is some sort of soft revolt against rate increases,” Mr Pyne said.

“The price of everything has gone up.

“People on fixed incomes are doing it very hard,” Cr Phil Percival said.

Cr Sheu said the trend in other rural councils for rates arrears was around 10 percent.

Little sympathy

Council had little sympathy for ratepayers who didn’t pay their rates in time to get their discount, and then asked for special consideration.

Cases where rate notices sent to the “wrong” address (the ratepayer hadn’t told council they had moved) and where the ratepayer had been let down by internet banking were dismissed.

However Director of Corporate Services Jason Quinnell said there was one case where Council should “show compassion” and allow the discount.

A ratepayer, who was paying off rates, had paid every instalment but the last before the discount cut-off date. Her father died on that day, and she paid the last instalment in full the next day.

She asked whether Council might allow her the discount.

Chief Executive Officer Peter Stewart said Council had to be careful when making exceptions and setting precedents.

“How do you judge what’s enough?”

“I think ‘death of father’ would be enough,” said Cr Mac Kniepp.

Council allowed the discount.