Recovery of rates and charges debts

Norfolk Island Regional Council has identified that 13% of its 1,585 ratepayers (equating to roughly 30% of island properties) have failed to pay annual rates in recent years. Some of these unpaid rates extend back to 2016. Other landholders have consciously chosen to withhold part-payment, for example of their waste charge. Non-payment of rates and charges impacts the delivery of community services for all residents and visitors.

The recovery of overdue rates and charges is a basic business practice that aims to protect the continued delivery of services such as road maintenance, parks, library services, water and waste services, and much more.

While Council would prefer to avoid taking the actions needed to recover these funds, the growing debt has the effect of penalising ratepayers who do the right thing through the reduction of services they have access to because of the actions of a handful of others.

Council writes to all ratepayers who have overdue rates notices to look for an alternative to court action, inviting discussion about payment plans to address their outstanding debt. When the response to these discussions is negative, the matter is referred for legal action to recover the rates owing.

To date 35 proceedings against 21 debtors have commenced for the collection of unpaid rates and charges, with 16 judgements against debtors determined up until 18 July for amounts totalling over $140,000.

If you are having difficulty paying your rates, you can contact Customer Care to arrange a payment plan.