People pay their rates in one lump sum, or by instalments. Below is information about extensions to the deadline for payments for all ratepayers. If you need a further extension or need to negotiate a payment plan, you should request help via our online form. You can also review our updated Hardship Policy ( PDF 527.83KB). 

Rates payment by Instalments 

Final instalment notices for the 2019-20 year will be sent out in May. The final instalment was due by 1 June. This year, an extension until 30 June will be available to all ratepayers who pay by instalments. There is no need to request this extension. 

Rates payment by lump sum

For those who pay by lump sum, the full payment was due by 17 February. Those with overdue payments were sent an Overdue Notice in March, and had penalty interest added, in line with the Local Government Act 1989. 

Ratepayers by lump sum who have not yet paid their rates will receive a notice advising a further extension to 30 June. No further penalty interest will be added for rates paid by 30 June. There is no need to request this extension. 

Whitehorse City Council has announced support for businesses and community groups through the Whitehorse Recovery Grants Package: Business and Community.

Local businesses are invited to apply for funding of up to $4,000 to assist with innovation, restart costs and supplies and up to $3,000 to assist with business continuity. Business grant applications open 13 July and close at midday 22 July. 

Community organisations and groups can apply for funding up to $5,000 to assist with community engagement, promotions, administration, equipment and programs. Community organisation grant applications open 6 July and close 24 July.

Find out more about the Whitehorse Recovery Grant Package application criteria and register to attend one of two information session on Tuesday 7 July.

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 salons and other businesses under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. If your business has temporarily closed during the pandemic, or you have experienced significantly lower turnover, you can request a discount on your next registration fee.  

Council also issues permits for street tables and chairs. They are issued for a year in advance. All permits will automatically be extended by a further six (6) months, with no additional charge. You do not need to apply for this extension. 

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.
 

Council recognises the financial pressure that some of our suppliers may be under during this period. In response to this, Council will be temporarily suspending the 30 day payment cycle and will endeavour to accelerate all payments to suppliers until 30 September 2020 when the terms will revert back to the 30 day cycle.
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
 

All dog and cat owners must register their pets and pay the annual registration fee. The due date for animal registrations has now passed and we thank the many owners who have paid in full.

For those yet to pay, the due date has been extended 30 June 2020, and we will send additional reminder SMS texts and emails. You do not need to request this extension.

Many local sporting and recreation clubs have access to Council sporting reserves and pavilions via seasonal licences. 

The seasonal allocation is generally divided between the summer sporting season, 1 October to 31 March, and the winter sporting season, 1 April to 30 September.

This year, all winter seasonal licence fees will be waived for six months from 1 April 2020. Clubs do not need to apply for this fee waiver. Council will communicate with them directly. 

Clubs with outstanding summer 2019/20 seasonal licence fees that need to negotiate an extension can apply via our online form.

Some sporting clubs such as tennis clubs and bowling clubs have exclusive use leases of Council owned land and buildings. Council will waive all rents and utility charges for sporting/recreation club leases for six months from 1 April 2020. Clubs do not need to apply for the waiver. Council will contact them directly. 

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 received their invoices during the 2019/20 financial year. Any outstanding bin payments will be added to the 2020/21 invoice without penalty. 

Central Box Hill and the Box Hill Hospital precinct have metered on-street parking and metered off-street parking.

Box Hill Hospital precinct

Council has supplied approximately 200 additional parking permits for key hospital staff. This enables key hospital staff to park in and around the hospital precinct at no meter charge.

Box Hill Central 

The Central Box Hill shopping area parking meters will continue to be free between 10am to 2pm on Saturdays until the end of June. 
 

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 due date will be extended to 30 June 2020 without penalty interest being applied, consistent with our approach to Rates outlined above. 

The Linum Street, Laurel Grove North and Boongarry Avenue, Blackburn Private Street Scheme was adopted March 2020. Levying for this scheme begins in the 2020/21 financial year, and will appear on the annual Valuation and Rate Notice, due to be issued in August 2020.