AUGUSTA Margaret River Shire has found prize incentives to be an effective way to encourage rate payments by the due dates.
"The rates incentives program has been in place for some time so we anticipate the results from this year's program will predominantly serve maintain the relatively high payment rate of previous years," shire finance manager Andrew Ross said.
"It is a common practice across local government, particularly in WA, to offer incentive prizes to encourage ratepayers to pay by the due date."
This year's prizes include $1000 shire payment towards annual rates, two nights in the Perth Ambassador Hotel, gold memberships at the Margaret River Recreation Centre and five nights stay at Turners Caravan Park.
Residents enter the draw if payment is made in full by September 7 (within 35 days of the issue date of the annual rates notice) or if four instalment payments are agreed to with the first instalment being 25 per cent of the total rates and outstanding amounts.
"Ratepayers have the option of paying in full by the due date or paying by four instalments," Mr Ross said.
"About 30 per cent of ratepayers pay by instalments.
"Ratepayers paying by instalment are charged instalment interest at 5.5 per cent per annum and an instalment charge of $7.25."
Last year the shire focused on promoting the new option receiving rates via email which was seen as a contributing factor to their high payment rate of 97 per cent.
"The benefit of receiving rates electronically is the email is issued within 24 hours of the rates issue date meaning the property owners receives the maximum timeframe to plan for payment," Mr Ross said.
"It particularly helps reduce the lag time from the rates issue date to the delivery date for absentee landowners, particularly those who live overseas.
"It is also a useful option for local property owners who live outside the residential postal delivery service area and only check their post offices boxes intermittently."
