Residents will no longer be able to make cheque payments from April 30 due to the three major New Zealand banks phasing them out in May, June and July of this year, said acting finance and commercial general manager Diane Brandish.
“The number of cheques being used to pay for our services has been steadily dropping in recent years," Brandish said.
"This phasing out of cheques has also been signalled by banks for some months and the public have several alternative methods they can use to pay for the council’s services instead.”
The other payment options include direct debit, internet banking, telephone banking, automatic payment, credit card or in person with cash or eftpos at any council service centre.
Brandish said the council is encouraging ratepayers to consider direct debits, particularly for paying rates.
"Direct debit is a cheap, reliable and convenient way to pay monthly or quarterly.
"The advantage of a direct debit compared to an automatic payment is that the amount being paid doesn’t need to be adjusted every new rating year.
"Direct debits always take the exact amount being asked for on the rates demand."
You can phone 941 8999 or 0800 800 169 to be sent a direct debit form, or pick one up at the Hereford Street Civic Offices or one of the council's other service centres.
Property owners in the city and Banks Peninsula also have the choice of receiving their quarterly rates invoice and assessment notice by email, instead of through the post, by registering at ccc.govt.nz/ratesinvoice.
