Local resident disappointed in 'don't care attitude' and 'poor response' of DSC over rates' bungle
FRUSTRATED
A loyal resident who has always paid her bills on time says she remains extremely disappointed with the “don’t care attitude” and “poor response” of Douglas Shire Council following a bungle around her latest rates’ notice.
Pauline Halsall Told Newsport that in 23 years she’s never been late with her rates, until just days ago, when she received an untimely letter telling her she had not paid her bill on time.
Ms Halsall said it’s a little difficult to pay the bill, if she has not, as she claims, received the bill in the mail.
“This year I never received my notice until I received a rates and charges reminder notice,” a disappointed Ms Halsall explained to Newsport.
“I rang the Council and the person I spoke to said that they do not have the man power to send out the notices so they employ the Post office to do this, and I should take it up with the Post office as it is not their fault I never received it.
“I rang again and spoke to a person and got the same answer and (was advised to) perhaps do B pay which I do not wish to do.
“I am not sure why they cannot send these out via email and this would save money instead of employing the Post office.”
It seems Ms Halsall isn't the only local rates payer to also not receive their bill in a timely manner.
“I posted it on the local Port Douglas/Mossman Facebook and four local people said they did not receive theirs either and were in the same position as me,” Ms Halsall said.
“A lot of people are not on Facebook so I wonder how many others did not receive theirs and (now also) have to pay interest."
Newsport reached out to Council about the matter.
"Council is responsible for ensuring all rates notices are lodged at Australia Post for mailing at least 30 days prior to the due date," a Council spokesperson told Newsport.
"Council checks this by reconciling the total number of rates records sent through for processing with the total number lodged with Australia Post and processed by BpayView.
"For the January 2023 notices, the totals matched, confirming all notices were despatched on time.
"This year however, Council has received a few reports from people who said they had received an overdue notice but did not receive the original notice and this is currently being investigated."
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