Mayor rates new system

THE City of Greater Dandenong is hailing its latest method of rate collection as a success.
A new phone system, known as Interactive Voice Response (IVR), allows ratepayers to pay by phone using a credit card 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mayor Maria Sampey said the system had been a hit with ratepayers paying their annual rates as it provided them with more flexibility.
“We are always looking for new ways to improve our services to residents,” Cr Sampey said.
“This payment option means that they can pay their rates at a time that suits them.”
The system has proved popular, with many ratepayers taking up the new option in the first three weeks of the new financial year.
“We’ve almost tripled the number of payments made electronically from last year,” Cr Sampey said.
“This compensates for the removal of the option to pay your rates over the counter at the bank, which we decided against this year for cost reasons.”
To pay rates by credit card using the IVR system, phone 1300 793 110 at any time.