Unpaid fines and overdue rates have led to Melton council pursuing a combined debt of $5 million.
There are about 9500 total infringements and the council wants residents to cough up what they owe. Most unpaid fines, amounting to
$4.2 million, were amassed in the 2013-14 financial year alone.
Council’s finance manager, Shan Thurairajah, encouraged residents who have outstanding debts to immediately discuss their situation with the council.
“Council encourages residents who have not yet paid their rates to do so at the earliest convenience to avoid any action,” Mr Thurairajah said. “If [you] are having financial difficulty, contact the council to discuss the possibility of entering payment arrangements or discuss financial hardship policy.
“Unpaid rates will incur interest, charged at the prescribed rate, and should it continue further, [cases] can be brought before the magistrates court.”
Djerriwarrh Health Services chief executive Bruce Marshall said it was important for people to budget correctly and “live within their means”.
“Some of the reasons people do struggle with their finances is increasingly high energy costs and the high cost of fuel, particularly with many in our community commuting to their places of work,” Mr Marshall said. “Sometimes it’s a situation of changed circumstances due to ill health of one of the income earners in the family, mortgage pressure, high rents, and the cost of education and childcare. General living costs can all get on top of many in our community.”
With this in mind, financial counsellors and legal practitioners will be at Melton this Friday as part of a Good Shepherd Australia-New Zealand ‘Bring your bills day’ to advise residents how to get on top of their bills and fines.
People will be able to speak to staff from Melton council’s rates department and representatives of financial services and the telecommunications, electricity and water sectors. The Department of Justice’s Sheriffs Office, the Public Transport Ombudsman, the Victorian Ombudsman, Legal Aid, Centrelink, the Salvation Army’s Social Housing Services advisers, and financial counsellors from Melton and Brimbank will also be represented.
Good Shepherd financial inclusion manager Sally Edwards said authorities would be offering free information and advice to families struggling with repayments.
“Unpaid bills can mount up and cause significant financial stress,” Ms Edwards said.
‘Bring your bills’ session
The ‘Bring your bills’ session is at the Melton community hall, 232 High Street, Melton, from 10am to 2pm on Friday.
