People pay their rates in one lump sum, or by instalments. If you were paying by lump sum they were due 15 February 2021, if you were paying by instalments, the first instalment had to be paid by 30 September 2020.

If you have missed paying your rates you may enter into a payment plan. Our online calculator can help you work out the minimum payments required. If you need further assistance, you can request help via our Relief and Support request form. You can also review our updated Hardship Policy ( PDF 527.83KB). 

Council adopted (9 June 2020) the Whitehorse Recovery Grants Package (WRGP) - Business as part of the Pandemic Recovery Stimulus Package.  

In round 1, Council awarded 280 small to medium-sized businesses a grant of up to $4000 with the majority of the 280 applicants receiving under $1500. The businesses can use the grant to invest in training and development, digital marketing or to purchase items to assist their business meet COVID regulations.

The Whitehorse Recover Grants Package-Business round two was open from 8 February 2021 to 19 February 2021. This will allow businesses more time to prepare their grant application, attend information sessions and source required supporting documentation. There will be two funding streams available. Businesses may apply for one stream only.

More info: Whitehorse News article

The Whitehorse Community Recovery Grants round two was open from Monday 8 February until Friday 12 March. This will will provide financial assistance to eligible community organisations, clubs and groups who have been impacted by COVID-19, to:

• Assist in their recovery
• Deliver initiatives, activities and resources required to address the changing needs of the community; and
• Enhance community capacity during the transition to ‘COVID Normal’.

More info: Whitehorse Community Recovery Grants Program

Council is committed to providing support to local businesses. Council acknowledges that many business have experienced a severe impact, and that some businesses have been affected since January 2020. 

Registrations and permits

Council issues registrations to food businesses. It also issues registrations to beauty and body art businesses, and accommodation facilities under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in temporarily closures and/or significant reduction in turnover, a 25% discount on renewal of registration fees for 2021 will apply for all registered premises.

Council also issues permits for street tables and chairs. To assist local businesses recover from COVID-19, Council has waived the 2020/21 permit fee for street furniture for existing permit holders. Renewals were issued in September 2020 with businesses only needing to provide a copy of their current Public Liability Insurance.

Businesses that are tenants in Council-owned facilities 

There are businesses that are tenants in Council-owned Aqualink Box Hill, Aqualink Nunawading and Sportlink. They are unable to trade during the closure of these Council facilities. Council will communicate directly to these businesses and will provide rent relief. They do not need to apply or request this relief. 

Other businesses that are tenants of Council may apply for rent relief or other support through our online form. Each request will be assessed on its merits. Council will consider eligibility for the “JobKeeper Payment” and the “National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct SME Commercial Leasing Principles during COVID-19”. Applicants should provide supporting documentation confirming the impacts caused by COVID-19, including to ongoing operations, to all funding sources, and access to other support options.
 

The following changes have been made to help implement the new processes and ensure there is as little disruption to your payment as possible.

1. Email your Invoice

   Suppliers must email their invoice(s) in PDF format directly to Council’s Accounts Payable at finance.ap@whitehorse.vic.gov.au 

   Multiple invoices can be sent in one email, however each invoice must be attached as an individual PDF document and clearly labelled with the invoice number.

   Please avoid sending invoice(s) in the post or to any other Council email address as this will cause delays in payment. 

2. Purchase Order Number must be clearly shown on the invoice 

   This is critical in preventing delays to your payment. 

3. Payments will be made via EFT

   As of 22 April 2020, Council will temporarily suspend the issuing of cheques. All payments will be made via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) only. If you are currently paid via cheque, please complete the ‘Vendor Details Form ( PDF 149.37KB)’ (including bank account details) and email it to vendor.requests@whitehorse.vic.gov.au

4. Accounts Payable Enquiries

   All Accounts Payable enquiries should be emailed to finance.ap@whitehorse.vic.gov.au

If you have any questions, or to discuss any of the requirements above, contact the Accounts Payable Team via email on finance.ap@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
 

Council leases Council owned land and buildings to many not for profit community groups and charities such as Scouts and Guides, the Lions Club, Neighbourhood Houses and some kindergartens. These buildings are leased at a nominal rent. 

Council will waive all rents and utility charges for eligible not for profit community groups and charities with Council leases for six months from 1 April 2020. Community groups do not need to apply for this support. Council will communicate with them directly. 

Customers who have large garbage bins, additional garbage bins or green waste bins have received an invoice for the 2020-21 year in October 2020. Any outstanding bin payments from the 2019-20 year were added to the 2020-21 invoice without penalty. 

Aqualink and Morack Golf Course memberships will be automatically suspended for the period of the facilities’ closure. No suspension fees will be charged.

Subscribers and ticket holders to the Whitehorse Centre professional theatre season will automatically receive refunds for performances that cannot proceed. 

No cancellation fees will be charged to families with children enrolled in our Whitehorse Early Learning Services (WELS) centres during the pandemic. 

There is no need to request waiver of suspension or cancellation fees. 

Council levies Special Rate & Special Charge schemes (Schemes) for the benefit of two shopping precincts and a small residential area. These rates and charges apply to a very small number of ratepayers. 

For the shopping precincts, the Special Rate is part of the rates notice. The Linum Street, Laurel Grove North and Boongarry Avenue, Blackburn Private Street Scheme was adopted March 2020. Levying for this scheme has begun and Notices have recently been issued.