An error with the barcode used to scan rates instalment notices at Australia Post has Northern Beaches residents asking if the rate rises have come early- the glitch adds at least a couple of extra zeros to the bill, bringing a $500 installment up to $50,000.
Readers notified Manly Observer of residents trying to pay for their Northern Beaches Council rates at Australia Post this week, only to discover they owe thousands of dollars.
“I went to pay my Northern Beaches Council rates at the post office and there is a glitch with the barcode,” one Manly Observer reader told us.
“Instead of $548, I was charged $54,800. I’ve rung Council, and they were gobsmacked.”
Another Northern Beaches resident commented on Northern Beaches Community Facebook group they’d experienced the same.
“Mine was $42,618, instead of $426,” they wrote.
We contacted Council who confirmed they were aware of an issue with the way the latest rates instalment notice barcodeis scanning at post offices.
They said they are ‘seeking clarification from the print company as to how this error happened’.
The amount printed on the rates notice is the correct amount to be paid, according to Council, and they added the Post Office can override their system with the amount shown on the paper notice.
It is critical ratepayers check the total when paying via barcode.
What about the less accidental rate rises ?
Whether or not rates will able to increase to almost 40 per cent is still with the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), with Councillors having the final say when approving next year’s budget.
Read more about the rate rises:
Bid for rate rise of 39.6% per cent approved in extraordinary Council meeting
