Council does not accept payments by cash or by cheque* at our administration centre and other facilities, including libraries, leisure centres, animal shelter, plant nursery and Hazelhurst Arts Centre.
No merchant fees
You do not have to pay merchant fees when you make a payment to us by credit card.
Other ways to make payments
Rates
- BPAY from your cheque/savings/debit/credit card/transaction account.
- Credit Card payment online or over the phone via automated telephone service.
- Direct Debit from your bank account.
- *You can pay your Council rates in store at Australia Post by cash or cheque - credit cards not accepted.
Debtors
- BPAY from your cheque, savings, debit, credit card or transaction account.
- Credit Card payment online or over the phone via automated telephone service.
Applications
- BPAY from your cheque, savings, debit, credit card or transaction account.
- Credit Card payment online or over the phone via automated telephone service.
Plant nursery
- Payments from savings, debit, credit card or transaction account over the counter.
Libraries
- Payments from savings, debit, credit card or transaction account over the counter.
Leisure Centres
- Payments from savings, debit, credit card or transaction account over the counter.
- Direct debit from savings, debit, credit card or transaction account.
- Note: the café inside Sutherland Leisure Centre is not run by Council and chooses what payment methods it accepts independently.
Hazelhurst Arts Centre
- Payments from savings, debit, credit card or transaction account over the counter.
- Note: the café inside Hazelhurst is not run by Council and choses what payment methods it accepts independently.
FAQs - Frequently asked questions
We have been fully cashless since 1 January 2022.
It creates operational efficiencies, which allow resources to be focused on other Council services which benefit our community. There are also other benefits such as reducing the levels of risk associated with workplace safety and hygiene.
Yes it is. Organisations are able to set the terms of payment for services provided; this includes restricting payment by cash or cheques at Council facilities. A reminder that Cash and Cheque payments can still be used for the payment of Rates at any Australia Post outlet.
Council facilities began changing ‘cashless’ in early 2020, with all facilities becoming cashless by January 2022.
Very few people paid with cash or cheques, and cash received dropped significantly. Direct costs with cash collection were disproportionately high. Moving to fully cashless also improved hygiene, reduced cash handling and improved security.
Members of our community who do not have access to technology or still prefer to pay cash or cheques for rates can do so at Australia Post outlets.
The option for those who do not have access to technology or prefer to pay cash for rates payments is available at Australia Post outlets. Other options:
- you can pay using the automated telephone service for rates, debtors and applications.
- you can set up a direct debit for rates payments, Leisure Centre fees and children services.
- you can pay over the counter at all council facilities from your savings, debit, credit card or transaction account.