ONCE AGAIN Sunshine Coast Council is offering one lucky rate payer the chance to win $1000 off their next rate notice just by switching to online notices received via email and therefore doing away with ‘hard copies’ sent in the mail.
Sunshine Coast Council Outstanding Organisation Portfolio Councillor Ted Hungerford said ratepayers could put themselves in the running to win with just a few simple steps.
“Ratepayers who already receive their rates notices by email are automatically in the running to win,” Cr Hungerford said.
“Ratepayers who still get their rate notices by traditional post can put themselves in the running by registering for a ‘MyCouncil’ account or logging in to an existing account and changing their rate notice delivery method to email, before Wednesday, February 22.
“You can create your own MyCouncil account on council’s website and once you’ve done that or logged into your existing account, all you need to do is click on ‘Update your rate notice delivery’ under the Property and Rates section on your MyCouncil dashboard and change to email.
“Receiving rate notices by email rather than traditional post is more environmentally friendly and registering for a MyCouncil account enables residents to access a wide range of convenient and secure online options.
“You can request services, register pets and business owners can also register to access a range of business services through MyCouncil and your information is only viewable by you.”
You’ll find a step-by-step guide to setting up your MyCouncil account on council’s website at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au and there is also a step-by-step video showing how to change your rates delivery method from traditional post to email.
How to pay rates
There is a range of convenient online payment options available, including BPAY and by phone on 131 816. Check your rate notice to see all the ways you can pay.
Council also has a direct debit option, which can be set up to pay rates in full by the due date, to make life easier for busy ratepayers.
To assist with online or over-the-phone payments, property owners will need their payment reference number, found on their rates notice and ratepayers who cannot make payment by the due date (February 24) are encouraged to enter into a payment arrangement by contacting council before February 24.
For rates enquiries, email council at rates@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au or contact council https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/Contact-Council between 8.15am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Look out for rates payment scams
Council is warning residents to be aware of bogus emails requesting payment of rates and has become aware of a small number of incidents where a scammer has emailed residents asking for payment of rates using a BSB and bank account number.
Please note that council never asks for rates to be paid to a BSB and account number. Please pay your rates using the methods printed on your rate notice and please contact council directly if you have any questions.
If anyone receives an email of this nature and recognises it as a scam, the matter can be reported online to www.scamwatch.gov.au
Anyone who has received an email of this nature and paid money to the emailer is encouraged to contact Policelink on 131 444 so that the matter can be investigated.