Bunbury ratepayers, the bill’s in the mail

Bunbury residents will receive their latest rates bill next month after Bunbury City Council set its due dates this week.

As part of adopting the 2019-20 budget, the council supported the due dates for the four-payment instalment plan for residents.

It followed the council’s support of a 3 per cent rate hike for ratepayers.

Rates notices will be issued on July 29 with the first instalment or payment in full due by September 2.

The rate increase again includes one per cent for upgrades and renewal of the city’s ageing infrastructure assets.

The council has gradually been reducing its backlog of work to maintain assets after a 2016 audit revealed a multi-million-dollar gap.

The increase means the minimum rate for properties within the city will be $1199.

According to the council, rates income makes up about 56 per cent of the city’s revenue to fund community infrastructure and services.