Surcharge applies from January 1

Noosa Council will impose a 0.50% surcharge on credit card payments from January 1, 2015.

Noosa Council Financial Services Manager Wayne Jensen said Council would still accept cash, cheque and BPAY payments, with only credit card payments attracting the surcharge.

“Merchant fees costs Council ratepayers in excess of $150,000 annually and the credit card surcharge will assist in recouping a portion of those costs,” Mr Jensen said.

“It is standard commercial practice to impose a credit card payment surcharge and it becomes a consumer choice as to whether customers choose to use that payment method,” he said.

All payments, covering property, rates, applications, dog registration and fines, made by credit card will attract the surcharge.

Mr Jensen said Council would continue to accept BPAY payments, but would not accept credit card payments made via BPAY.

“Visa and Mastercard credit card payments can be made online via Council’s website, over the phone and in person,” he said.

29 December 2014