Payment of Rates & Invoices

Budget Focus

The 2023/24 Budget provides as normal, funds to meet the on-going operations of the Shire which includes shire building and facilities, parks and gardens, and recreational facilities maintained to acceptable standards, maintaining and upgrading the Shire’s extensive road system which totals some 2,500 kilometres.

For further details, please see the full Rates Summary

To view the 2023 / 2024 Budget in full, click here

2023 - 2024 Due Dates

Pursuant to section 6.45 of the Local Government Act 1995 and regulation 64(2) of the Local Government (Financial Management) Regulations 1996, offers a one, two and four instalment payment option and nominates the following due dates for payment in full or by instalments:

Full payment and First instalment due date	4 September 2023
Second half instalment due date	6 November 2023
Second quarterly instalment due date	6 November 2023
Third quarterly instalment due date	8 January 2024
Fourth quarterly and final instalment due date	11 March 2024

The cost associated with instalment options are:

Admin Fee - per instalment (FM Reg 67)	$11.00
Interest Charge (FM Reg 68)	5.50% per annum

Making a payment to the Shire of Lake Grace:

In Person

Cash, Cheque, EFT Money Order can be taken at the Shire Office between the hours of 8.30am and 4.00pm

By Mail

Cheque and Credit Card Payments to PO Box 50, Lake Grace WA 6353

Online Credit Card Payments (BPoint)

Please click on the appropriate link below:

Rates Payments

Invoice Payments

Internet Banking

To pay by direct deposit using your internet banking facility, please refer to your rate notice / tax invoice for account details.

Please use your invoice or assessment number as reference when making payment.

Direct Debit

To enter into a direct debit agreement please contact the Shire office.

Centrelink

Centrelink customers may by arrangement pay through Centrepay.

Penalty Interest Charges on Overdue Rates

Under the Local Government Act 1995 interest is charged on overdue amounts. Council has set the charge at 7% per annum, which will be applied to all amounts outstanding after 35 days from the issue date of the rate notice. Penalty interest accrues daily until all overdue rates and charges are paid in full.

Emergency Services Levy (ESL)

The Emergency Services Levy (ESL) is an annual charge paid by all property owners in Western Australia. We collect this fee on behalf of Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). This provides funding for fire and emergency service response teams, including local Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades and State-operated services like State Emergency Services.

To view the 2023 / 2024 ESL brochure click here

Further information about the Emergency Services Levy can be found on the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website: https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/emergency-services-levy

Pensioner Rates Rebate / Deferment

(Applicable to Rates, Sewerage and ESL only, all other charges to be paid in full)

“Rebates to pensioners and seniors are funded by the Government of WA”

Pensioners who meet the eligibility criteria below. Are entitled to claim a rebate of up to 50% off the current year’s rates and ESL or may defer payment of those rates. Persons who hold a Seniors Card issued by the Office of Seniors Interest and a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card are also entitled to a concession.

Seniors who meet the following eligibility criteria are entitled to claim a rebate of up to 25%, where the rebate is limited to a maximum amount.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for concession under the Rate and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992, an applicant must:
Be the owner and reside in the property on 1 July of the rating year:
If a Pensioner, either be in receipt of a pension and hold a Pensioner Concession Card or State Concession Card or
Hold both a Seniors Card issued by the Office of Seniors Interests and a Commonwealth
Seniors Health Card; or
If a Senior hold a Seniors Card issued by the office of Seniors Interests
Register entitlement with the Shire or the Water Corporation (concessions only apply once an application is received and registered).

A pro-rata rebate may be available from the data of registration to Pensioners and Seniors who become eligible after the 1 July rating year.

Please contact the Shire where you have rate arrears outstanding on the property and you meet the eligibility criteria. You may be able to enter into an arrangement that entitles you to a rebate or deferment.

If your circumstances change – particularly with respect to your ownership or occupation of the property, or your eligibility as a Senior or Pensioner – you must notify the Shire and the Water Corporation. Your registration will be cancelled or amended, as appropriate.

REBATE REFERS TO CURRENT RATES SEWERAGE AND ESL ONLY

SERVICE CHARGES MUST BE PAID IN FULL BY ALL RATEPAYERS WITHIN 35 DAYS

Difficulty paying your rates?

To avoid legal action, please contact our Finance Team on: (08) 9890 2500 to discuss alternative payment arrangements.

We are committed to working with you to find an appropriate payment solution that works for both you and us. We understand that it can be difficult to ask for support, and will treat you sensitively and respectfully.

Wastewater Services - Rates Reviews and Dispute Resolution

If you believe there to be an error present in the wastewater portion of your rates notice, you may request the Shire to review your notice. While you may request a review verbally, you are encouraged to lodge a written request through the “Compliments and Feedback” form below.

While your notice is undergoing review, debt recovery will be halted until the Shire has formed a decision. You will be notified of the outcome of the review within 15 business days, starting from the day the request was first received.

Alternatively, you may contact the Energy and Water Ombudsman before or instead of using the Shire’s review procedure; or apply for a review or appeal a decision made by the Shire to the State Administrative Tribunal. Further information and contact details can be found within the “Compliments and Feedback” form.

Please note that the review only applies to the wastewater services portion of your rates notice.

To view:

Link: Complaints Brochure

Link: Complaints Brochure (Large-print version)

Wastewater Services - Financial Hardship Policy

The Shire will assist a resident who cannot pay the portion of a rate notice because of financial hardship in accordance with the Shire’s 'Financial Hardship Policy for Water Services'.

Approval will be considered where the resident can show that the payment of the wastewater portion of their rate notice will affect the resident’s basic living needs.

Our policy applies only to the wastewater portion of the rate notice.

If you are having difficulty paying other charges on your rate notice we encourage you to contact our Team. For further information contact the Shire on: (08) 9890 2500

To view:

Link: Financial Hardship Policy

Link: Financial Hardship Policy (Large-print version)