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PAYMENT METHODS

Payment of Rates

The due date for the Rates Notice is specified on each notice that is issued. Typically, this would be 30 days from the date of issue of the respective notice.

There are a number of ways to pay your rates.

  • In person : You can visit the Council Administration Office, 10 Furneaux Street, Cooktown between 8.45am and 4.30pm. We accept cash, cheque, EFTPOS and credit cards.
  • By phone: You can phone uswith your credit card (Australian Mastercard or Visa) – please have your rate notice on hand.
  • By mail: Detach the bottom section of your Rate Notice and return it with your payment to Cook Shire Council, PO Box 3, Cooktown, Qld 4895.
  • By BPAY: Use the Biller Code 172395 and your reference number shown beside the BPAY logo on the front of your Rate Notice. Your reference number is your assessment number.
  • By Centrepay: For those receiving Centrelink payments, using the Centrepay reference number 555 054 452 C. Contact Centrelink for application forms and more information.
  • By Direct Debit: Payments can be made in full on the due date, weekly, fortnightly or monthly from your cheque or savings account. Payments cannot be accepted from credit card accounts. To register to pay via direct debit, complete and submit a Direct Debit Request Form.

Pre-pay your rates

Making smaller, more regular payments can be an easier way for some people to pay their rates. Prepayment can be made to your rate account at any time. Contact Council’s Rates Officer for more information.

 

Late Payments

Payments made after the due date, are subject to interest charges for the period that the notices remain unpaid after the due date.  The rate of interest that can be charged is prescribed by legislation; the Local Government Regulation 2012.

Currently, compound interest at a rate of 12.35% per annum will accrue daily on the overdue amount and will continue to accrue until the arrears are paid in full.

If your rates are unpaid after the specified due date, the discount will not be allowed.

 

Payment Difficulties / Payment Arrangements

We adopt an approach of working with ratepayers who may face some difficulty in paying their rates and utility charges. The most common approach is to set in place an arrangement where ratepayers can make payments over a period of time in regular payments. If you wish to put in place such an arrangement, complete and submit our Application for Payment Arrangement form.