Melton and Bacchus Marsh have been counted among Victoria’s bankruptcy hotspots, an Australian Financial Security Authority report shows.
Between July and September this year, 44 personal insolvencies from Melton and Bacchus Marsh were lodged with the authority.
In the same period, those areas recorded an additional five debtors with business-related insolvencies.
Wyndham topped the number of people declaring bankruptcy in Victoria with 105 residents going bust over the past quarter and another 18 debtors lodging business-related insolvencies.
The Whittlesea-Wallan areas in the north followed with 81 personal cases and 12 business cases.
The authority report, released earlier this month, said the main reasons Australians cited for declaring personal bankruptcy were “excessive use of credit”, unemployment or loss of income, and domestic discord or relationship breakdown.
Financial counsellor Colin Handreck, of Moorabool-based Child and Family Services Financial Counselling, said staff were often asked to help with debt management and housing affordability.
Melton residents also ranked among the highest in the state for mortgage arrears and debt collection for utility bills.
Mr Handreck said people who lived in Melton and Moorabool, but worked outside of the area, often faced high costs in petrol, public transport and road tolls.
Overall, personal insolvencies in Victoria numbered 1545 for the three months to September, up 6.6 per cent from the 1449 during the same quarter last year.
Financial Counselling West, operated by Djerriwarrh Health Services based in Melton and Caroline Springs, can be contacted on 1300 786 696. Moorabool residents can contact Child and Family Services Financial Counselling on 5367 9900.
