The Ba Town Council has surpassed government’s target of collecting 50 per cent of rate arrears.
Special Administrator Arun Prasad says they are now owed only $671,000 in outstanding rates.
At the beginning of the year – the council was owed $1.4 million.
Prasad says they hope to reach 70 per cent collection by the end of the year.
“Those ratepayers that have got problems – I urge them to come and make arrangements with the Council. Our arms are open. We are ready to discuss what the difficulties are but it should be within the reason that it should be paid. There are those who don’t pay and they challenge us in court – they are welcome to do that. But overall – we are quite happy with the support given to us.”
Government had issued a directive to all municipal councils to collect at least half the outstanding rates by the end of the year.
