Sunshine Coast rates notices have been issued and will start arriving this week.
If you pay on or before February 19, you’ll receive council’s on-time payment discount of 5% of your general rate, up to $100 every six months.
Sunshine Coast Council Outstanding Organisation Portfolio Councillor Ted Hungerford said your rates ensured council could continue to deliver a range of services to support a strong community.
“Residents may note that the amount payable on the January rate notice is slightly higher than the notice they received in July 2020,” Cr Hungerford said.
“This is due to the COVID-19 discount of $35 being applied to the July 2020 notice rather than split over the two rating periods, this ensured residents received the reduction as soon as possible.
“There has not been an increase for the majority of residential ratepayers between their total rates and charges for 2020/21 rates when compared to last year.
“Council funds many important services, facilities and programs through rates payments, including our libraries, our parks and gardens, our roads, environmental programs and economic initiatives, just to name a few.
“You can sign up to MyCouncil on council’s website, which offers an online dashboard for property owners and rate payers to view their rates and pet registration details, make requests to council, update their personal information and make payments online.
“You can also opt to receive future rates notices by email. Property owners who receive their rates notices by email have the option of setting a calendar reminder to pay their rates and ensure they never miss the on-time payment discount.
“Receiving your rates notices electronically also helps council adopt a more environmentally friendly method, by using less paper when sending out rates notices.
“I encourage ratepayers who are currently receiving their rates notices in the post to visit council’s website, sign-up to MyCouncil or login to their existing MyCouncil account and change your preferred rates notice delivery method from post to email.”
Guide to payment
You’ll find a step-by-step guide to setting up your MyCouncil account and changing your preferred rates notice delivery method on council’s website. There is also a step-by-step video to show you how to change your rates delivery method from traditional post to email.
There is a range of convenient online payment options available, including BPAY and by phone on 131 816. Check your rates notice to see all the ways you can pay.
Council offers a direct debit payment option, which can be set up to pay rates in full by the due date, to make life easier for busy ratepayers. A direct debit request can be created by logging into your MyCouncil account or the application form can be located on Council’s website.
To assist with online or over-the-phone payments, property owners will need their payment reference number, found on their rates notice.
To pay in person, appointments are preferred so please call council to make an appointment.
Ratepayers who cannot make payment by the due date are encouraged to enter into a flexible payment arrangement by logging into MyCouncil or by contacting council.
For rates enquiries, email council at rates@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au or contact council http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/Contact-Council between 8.15am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.