Centrepay is an optional add-on to Centrelink accounts that allows deductions to be made to Council directly from a ratepayer’s Centrelink payment.

Because this cuts out the Centrelink account holder as a ‘middle-man’, it can make sure that bills are paid on time to providers.

However, the council refused the movement from Deputy Mayor Paul Cavalier, because of a lack of ability to have debt collection reinbursed through the ratepayer, which means that council would have to cover the high 10% transaction fee.

However, council officers may continue to carry out community consultation on the rate notice in the future, to ascertain whether Centrepay for ratepayers may be an option.