LODDON Shire ratepayers are being urged to consider paying their rates in installments.
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Rates notice began arriving in letterboxes across the shire last week.
Mayor Gavan Holt said the council offered the option of paying installments to its residents in the hope that paying more often and in smaller amounts would ease the pressure of paying a lump sum on the due date.
"The idea behind the instalment plan is to assist ratepayers in meeting their obligations in February each year," he said.
"This is more important now with council collecting the Fire Services Property Levy on behalf of the state government.
"Residents who have not paid the total off their bill by the due date have interest applied to their rates bill, which is set by the state government.
Cr Holt said there were a number of options available to residents by paying weekly, fortnightly, monthly or on an ad hoc basis through Australia Post, via BPay or at the Wedderburn office.
Council also offers residents the option of setting up a direct debit so that their rates payment is taken out of their account without having to worry about following it up.
Once set up, rates are paid automatically, and will continue to be deducted for the ratepayer’s chosen time period.