By JESSE GRAHAM
RESIDENTS who pay their rates early this year will go into the draw to win prizes worth hundreds of dollars, under a new incentive from the Yarra Ranges Council.
As part of its Draft 2016-’17 Budget, the council has proposed holding a competition for residents who pay their full rate balance by 5pm on 30 September 2016.
If all arrears, rates, charges and the Fire Services Property Levy are paid by that date, they will go into the draw to win prizes, ranging from a Magic Moment at Healesville Sanctuary to an accommodation and dinner package.
First prize is the accommodation and dinner package, worth $1000; second prize is a hot air balloon ride and champagne breakfast, worth $800; third prize is a Puffing Billy ride and lunch, worth $400; fourth prize is a hamper of Yarra Valley products, worth $200; and fifth prize is a Magic Moment at the sanctuary, worth $100.
Yarra Ranges Council’s manager of finance, procurement and rates Angelica Marshall said that many people paid their rates in February, and that the prizes would be encouragement for those who could afford to, to pay early.
“We know that quite a lot of our ratepayers have the capacity to pay their rates in full, which they do on 15 February, and we’re just using a bit of incentive to say, ‘Pay by 30 September, go in the draw to win one of five great local prizes’, and that’ll bring our cash flow forward,” she said.
The competition prizes will be drawn by Mayor Jason Callanan on Friday 21 October at 10am, with the winners notified by writing.
No councillors or council employees will be able to enter the competition.
For more information, visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
