Payments

Fees and Charges

The Alice Springs Town Council provides and maintains a comprehensive range of recreational, cultural, environmental, humanitarian services and facilities. Around 60% of the money needed to provide these services comes from rates levied on properties in Alice Springs.

The Council aims to keep rates as low as possible. Considering our small population and the extra expense involved in acquiring goods and services in the centre of Australia Council rates compare quite favourably with those charged by many other councils around the country.

If you would like to pay your rates online our e-services payment site provides a convenient, secure, method of payment.

General Rates

The General Rates are calculated by multiplying the Unimproved Capital Value of each parcel of land by the declared rate set by the Council. If this results in an amount less than the minimum amount payable, as set by the Council, then the minimum amount payable will apply.

The Unimproved Capital Value of land used by the Town Council is provided by the Valuer General. The Unimproved Capital Value is the value of the land without any improvements, that is a vacant block without buildings, fences, etc. Valuations are updated every three years. Fluctuations in valuations cause shifts in the amount of rates paid by individual ratepayers in various areas of the town. Basically, the people with the most valuable land pay higher rates. If you have any queries regarding the valuation of your property, these should be directed to the Valuer General’s Office, telephone (08) 8953 1999.

Payment of Rates

Rates are payable by instalments. Rates and charges for each financial year (1 July to 30 June) are due and payable by four instalments. Reminders of the due dates are advertised in the local media. Ratepayers may choose to pay the full amount of the rates and charges for the year by the first due date. There are penalties for late payments.

If your rate payment is not received by the due date:

• the account will be in arrears, AND
• penalties for late payment on the outstanding instalment will be calculated on a daily basis from the date on which the missed instalment was due until the date payment is made in full.

Penalties for late payments are charged at a set percentage per annum. If you are having difficulty in making the required payment by the due date, please contact the Rates Office on (08) 8950 0500.

Due Dates

The due dates for the 2010/2011 financial year are as follows:

• First Instalment – Friday 2 September 2011
• Second Instalment – Friday 4 November 2011
• Third Instalment – Friday 3 February 2012
• Fourth Instalment – Friday 13 April 2012

More information about Rates for the current year is available in the Rates Declaration 2011-2012.

Ways to Pay your Rates

• e-services: a convenient way to pay your rates and other Council accounts online from any Internet enabled location.
• In person: at the Council Office by cheque, cash, Mastercard, Visa Card or EFTPOS between 8am and 5pm weekdays (closed public holidays).
• By mail: Post a cheque or money order, including the deposit slip from your Rate Notice, to the Alice Springs Town Council, PO Box 1071 Alice Springs NT 0871, by the due date. Or fill out your Mastercard or Visa Card details on the back of your rates deposit slip and post as above.
• By phone: use your Mastercard or Visa Card. Just call the Council on (08) 8950 0500 between 8am and 5pm weekdays (closed public holidays).
• At any bank: by cash or cheque - you must use the deposit slip attached to the Rate Notice to ensure that your payment is correctly credited to your rate assessment number.
• Through periodic payments: by talking to your employer about pay deductions; or by coming into the Council Office to make payments of any amount; or by arranging with your bank to transfer payments from your account to the Council’s account. Please note that ratepayers remain responsible for ensuring payments are made in full by the instalment due dates.
• Using BPay: contact your participating bank to make your payment directly from your cheque, savings or credit card account. Just quote the biller code and your assessment number as indicated by the BPay logo on your rates notice.
• Using Direct Debit: the easiest and most cost effective way of paying your rates. Complete an application form, available from our Forms page. The Council can then draw on your cheque or savings account on the dates that rates are due.

Please note that the following charges now apply for electronic payments:

• Payment made by Credit Card - 0.5% of transaction value

Change of Address

Avoid any problems by remembering to notify the Council when changing your address. The Local Government Act requires ratepayers to notify the Council in writing of any change of mailing address within 28 days. A penalty of $2,200 for not doing so may apply. The form is on our Forms page.

Concession for Pensioners

Aged Pensioners are entitled to a concession on their rates. Concessions for eligible pensioners are automatically included in their assessment on the rates notice. Enquiries regarding your eligibility for pensioner concessions on rates and rebates for part-year eligibility should be directed to the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) on:
- freecall 1300 65 3227
- TTY service (for hearing impaired) 1800 26 0402