Late rates bills investigated

The Dunedin City Council is investigating why some of its rates bills have been delayed or have failed to turn up at all before the payment deadline.

Affected ratepayers are being offered 14-day payment extensions and penalty fees will not be applied.

Dunedin couple Jenny and Graham Brown, of Wakari, said they were ‘‘surprised’’ on Monday to receive their latest rates bill, and find it was due for payment on Friday.

The bill was dated October 22, but only arrived at the Browns’ on November 15.

Mrs Brown contacted the council and was told there had been a problem.

‘‘[The person who answered the phone] said there had been some sort of hiccup in the mailing department.’’

A council spokesman said the council was aware some people had either not yet received their rates invoices, or had only just received them.

It was working with postal provider DX Mail to identify the problem.

Anyone affected could contact the council on (03) 477-4000 to discuss their situation. Extensions on payment deadlines were being offered, and the usual penalty fees would not apply.