Tool available to help residents check balances
Date published: 30 August 2024
Council is reminding residents of its popular online tool to help property owners across the city check their rates balance at any time on Council’s website.
The reminder comes as rate and utilities notices started hitting inboxes and letterboxes earlier this month.
Mayor Troy Thompson said the Check Your Rates Balance tool allows property owners to know what their balance was at any time during the year.
“The Check Your Rates Balance tool helps property owners budget for their twice-yearly rate and utilities notices,” Cr Thompson said.
“Council developed the Check Your Rates Balance tool last year so ratepayers can keep up to date with what their rates balance looks like, and it has been extremely popular in the last twelve months.
“Council is committed to connecting our residents to what they need at the time they choose.
“All property owners are able to pay their rates off in smaller, more manageable amounts through the year, which means everybody’s rate and utilities notices look different. By using the Check Your Rates Balance tool you’ll be able to know what to expect when rate and utilities charges are due.”
Cr Thompson said property owners should keep an eye out for their rate and utilities notices.
“Notices have recently landed in mailboxes and inboxes, but if you haven’t received yours, please give Council a call on 13 48 10,” he said.
“If you’ve signed up for eNotices remember to check your email inbox, as this is where your rate and utilities notice will be. If you’re still receiving paper rate notices, consider making the switch today to receive your rate and utilities notices in one convenient place, it’s as simple as visiting Council’s website, selecting view rate and animal notices online and following the step-by-step guide.
“Each owner-occupier rate and utilities notice includes a discount of 5 per cent if you pay by the due date, so make sure you action your bill before the due date.”
Cr Thompson said in 2024/25 Townsville City Council delivered a necessary increase of 5.1 per cent, in line with councils across the state.
“Our neighbours in Cairns recently released their rates benchmarking report, which supports our own findings and reinforces our position that Townsville's average rate and utilities bill is at the lower end compared to councils in Queensland with populations in excess of 100,000, including Cairns and Mackay,” Cr Thompson said.
To learn more about rates – how rates are calculated, see comparison data and where your rates go, use the Check Your Rates Balance tool and more, visit Council’s Rates Hub.
