By Jack O’shea-Ayres
Hume residents owe more than $45 million in overdue council rates, with councillors urging households to reach out early for support rather than letting debts spiral.
The annual rate arrears report, presented at Hume’s council meeting on Monday, September 22, revealed 18,623 ratepayers across the municipality were in arrears as of June 30, 2025.
Council is owed $45.75 million in unpaid rates. The figure has climbed by $6.17 million from last year.
Of these, 6357 households and businesses have repayment arrangements in place valued at $19.9 million, supported by council’s rates financial hardship policy which allows struggling ratepayers to make interest-free repayments, with the aim of easing…