Council is now on charging a portion of the bank surcharges we incur when payment is made using a card.
A surcharge of 0.11% will apply to all debit, credit and EFTPOS payments you make to Council:
- over the counter at Council Customer Service Centres at Cleveland, Capalaba and Victoria Point;
- over the phone, by ringing Council's main phone number of 07 3829 8999;
- over the phone, using Council's automated phone payment number of 1300 300 943;
- on Council's website, through myServices and online forms.
For the average rates notice of $816.78, the card surcharge would be $0.90.
Customers are encouraged to use BPay, where this option is available, as this payment method will not attract a surcharge.
Card surcharge exemption applies to all new and existing payment arrangements to assist in the management of rate arrears.
Reason for the surcharge
Council is charged fees by the banks when customers pay using credit and debit cards. These fees add up to a considerable cost. Through this surcharge, Council will recover some of the bank fees it pays, which can be redirected toward Council’s spend on other services like parks and roads.
Card surcharges are already commonly used by many organisations to recover their costs, including other councils in south-east Queensland.
Other payment options
You will be able to avoid the card surcharge by paying your rates and some other payments using BPAY.
Using BPAY is also a good way to avoid bill shock at when rates fall due.
When you set up BPAY payments through your internet banking, there are options to set recurring instalments either weekly, fortnightly or monthly, for an amount that suits you. You can create, amend or stop these payments at any time, putting the control in your hands.