Boroondara Council takes Glen Iris man to court over $89 rates bill

An eastern suburbs council has abandoned legal action against a man it took to court and pursued with debt collectors over an outstanding rates bill of just $89.

A man was hauled into court by Boroondara Council over a rate bill bungle.

Boroondara Council has abandoned legal action against a man it took to court over an outstanding rates bill of $89.

Glen Iris sole parent Phillip Rose on March 8 told Melbourne Magistrates’ Court he’d already contacted the council, set up a payment plan and made three $800 payments towards his overdue rates bill of about $2400 when the council set its debt collector onto him.

One in seven Boroondara students victim of bullying at school

Alcohol a leading causal factor behind assaults in Boroondara

Boroondara Council reveals second contract awarded to Deloitte as part of $11.7m website overhaul

Mr Rose said he was hounded by collection agents, who harassed him with calls and letters demanding the full rates amount, and when he tried to explain he’d already made the payments he said they wouldn’t listen.

Then the council hauled him before court to collect the money he had already paid, along with penalties and legal costs totalling $1423.

The council’s lawyer told Magistrate Simon Guthrie they’d received payments towards Mr Rose’s outstanding bill, but had been unaware a payment plan application had been lodged. This was despite the document having been sent to Mr Rose by a council staff member and dropped back into their after-hours letterbox by him in person.

The court heard the form may have been misplaced, resulting in it not being processed.

The council settled the matter with Mr Rose during a short adjournment, with the council agreeing to pay its own fees as long as he paid his final $89 instalment.

Outside court Mr Rose told the Leader the whole experience had been very stressful and it was “nonsense” the council would pursue him over such a small amount.

And while he said he was satisfied the matter had eventually been settled, it was also regretful ratepayers would now have to foot the bill for the council’s legal costs.

“I just think they’re totally disorganised and totally inefficient,” he said.

“It’s absolute nonsense to take someone to court over $89.

“I think in the end they realised they’d made a huge mistake.”