Rates Information and Payment Options

Rates can be paid by:

• BPAY
• Cash (at the Council office)
• Cheque
• EFTPOS (Mastercard or Visa)
• Money Order

Rates can also be paid in advance, or by installments at any time. Many ratepayers find this helpful when budgeting.

If you are having difficulty in paying your rates, please contact the Rates Department. Balonne Shire Council is always willing to work with ratepayers towards a reasonable arrangement for the settlement of rates. To apply to pay your rates by instalments please complete the following form and submit to Council for review.

Commitment to pay rates(PDF, 129KB)

Authorising a Person or Organisation to Enquire of Act on your Behalf(PDF, 237KB)

Discounts are allowed for early payment as detailed on your rates notice.

The full amount including any rate arrears and interest must be paid on or before the discount expiry date to receive the discount.

Electronic payments processed after the nominated Payment Cut-off Time on the due date by your financial institution or bill payment service will not be eligible to receive a discount.

Approved Pensioners are advised that application forms are now available for the State Government’s Pensioner Rate Subsidy Scheme.

Pensioners wishing to apply for the subsidy will be required to be holders of a current

• Centrelink – Pensioner Concession Card
• Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card
• Department of Veterans Affairs PTEC card

Applicants must produce their relevant pensioner card/s at the time of lodging their application.

Previous applicants are not required to resubmit an application.

Further particulars can be obtained by contacting Balonne Shire Council on (07) 4620 8888

To apply for a Pensioner Rate Remission please complete the below form and return it to the Council Office.

Application for Pensioner Rate Subsidy(PDF, 273KB)

Successful organisations with a sport and recreation focus may receive up to 25% of their annual general rates and/or sewerage and cleansing utility service charges. Organisations with a charitable or community service focus may receive up to 50% of their general rates and/or sewerage and cleansing utility service charges.

The actual level of support / remission of rates approved will be at the discretion of Council. A cap may be applied to organisations with multiple service charges limiting the maximum amount of remission available.

Eligible community organisations are those that:

• pay general rates or sewerage and cleansing utility service charges to Balonne Shire Council
• are based in the Balonne Shire or able to demonstrate that the project, program or activity will directly benefit Balonne Shire residents.
• are an approved charity or an incorporated not-for-profit organisation.
• do not receive operational funding from the State or Federal Government
• have public liability insurance

Please read the guidelines, if eligible, submit a completed application form and supporting documentation to Council for review by the due date.

Contact our Rates Officer on 07 4620 8888 for further enquiries or assistance

Community Rate Support Program Application Form(PDF, 258KB)

Community Rate Support Program Guidelines(PDF, 675KB)

Have you moved house? Or do you need to change the address that your Rates and Official Notices are sent to?

Fill out this form and return to us. Your next notice will be sent to your preferred Email or Postal address.

Change of Address for Rate Notice(PDF, 232KB)

Authorising a Person or Organisation to Enquire or Act on your Behalf(PDF, 237KB)

To apply for a Property, Building or Rates search please complete the Property Search Application form and submit completed form and prescribed fee to Council's Office or by email to council@balonne.qld.gov.au.

If you require any information not included above or have any other queries please contact Council's Rates Officer on (07) 4620 8888.

Property Search Application Form(PDF, 249KB)

The Queensland Government Fire and Rescue Act 1990, requires Councils to levy and collect, on it's behalf, a State Emergency Management Levy.

The levy is to provide a more sustainable funding base for emergency services, recognising that all Queenslanders are at risk from possible floods, cyclones, storms, fires and accidents. It will be used by local Rural Fire Groups to fund activities within our region. The levy is based on property use, the structures on the property and the fire and rescue capability in the area.

Please contact Queensland Fire and Emergency Services on 137 468 for more information regarding the levy.