Media Release
Release date: Wed 24 October 2012

Rates Can Now Be Paid Online, Anytime

Gisborne district ratepayers can now use their credit or debit card to pay Gisborne District Council rates online at www.gdc.govt.nz.

A push from Mayor Meng Foon to ensure Council embraces the electronic world and enjoys the cost savings online services can bring has seen the credit and debit card payments for rates made available through Council’s website.

It is very easy to use, says Mayor Foon. “This service will be really helpful for our ratepayers who live out of the district or overseas. They can pay their rates anywhere, anytime that suits without worrying about bank drafts or setting up separate accounts. This is the first part of a larger project that will eventually see people able to pay for all Council Services online. ”

Ratepayers will need to enter their valuation number to ensure the payment is credited to the right property. Those who own more than one property will need to make separate payments for each. A surcharge of 1.9% or $3 (whichever is the greater) is charged on all credit and online debit card transactions.

Credit cards can be used to pay for all Council services at Customer Services in Fitzherbert Street and Te Puia Springs.

Council’s EasyPay direct debit system is still the preferred way to pay for rates for many, says senior rates officer Fiona Scragg. “Organised through Council, rates are paid in either manageable weekly, fortnightly, monthly instalments or one payment each quarter on the due date.”

“It takes the worry away for people because if rates increase or decrease Council automatically reviews the payments. There are no worries about late payment penalties being added to their rates account again.”

Gisborne District Council website was the supreme winner of the 2012 ALGIM Web awards for local government websites. The website has won praise for great design, use of plain language and being easy to use. All Council reports, policies, jobs, application forms, fire permit forms can be downloaded. Some of the most well used features are the cemetery search, real-time river and rainfall data, road conditions and a comparison tool between this year and last year’s rates.

ENDS

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