Council ponders 'bill smoothing' system for rates

Penrith City Council will prepare a full business case for a 'bill smoothing' system that would let residents pay their rates in twelve monthly instalments rather than the current quarterly bill.

Liberal councillor Reece Nuttall, who brought the original notice of motion in March, said the model would help households manage cost-of-living pressure without increasing the total amount owed. "This isn't a discount and it isn't a deferral," he said. "It's a cashflow change that costs Council very little to administer."

A staff report tabled this week estimated set-up costs of $480,000 and ongoing administration of roughly $90,000 a year, largely offset by reduced arrears and a small drop in hardship-application volumes.

Mayor Todd Carney said the proposal had cross-bench support and was likely to proceed to public exhibition before the end of the financial year.