Established in 1981 as the
proudly serving Sunbury and Macedon Ranges
2 JUNE, 2026
12871769-MS23-26
Rates pain on the rise More than 25,000 households in Hume are behind on their rates bill, taking the city’s overdue rates bill to more than $50 million. A report to the 25 May Hume council meeting revealed the municipality was experiencing a rates crisis with unpaid rates across the municipality totalling $50.77 million as of 31 March. The report said $26.69 million of that was overdue from previous years while $24.08 million related to the 2025-26 fi nancial year. According to council, 25,030 properties have overdue rates – 6649 of which are already on payment plans. The report said 3580 accounts were with debt collectors, totalling $26.76 million in unpaid rates. Overdue text messages were sent to affected ratepayers after 31 March, officers said, with $2.95 million paid by 24 April, bringing the total amount of overdue rates to $47.83 million with 21,762 accounts still unpaid. Northern Community Legal Centre said the organisation is witnessing ongoing and increasing fi nancial pressure on Hume residents. The legal centre said the people it assists are facing compounding cost-of-living pressures that are continuing to rise, and for households on low or fi xed incomes, council rates are often one of several bills
they simply can’t afford. “What we’re seeing in Hume is not just a budgeting issue for households – it’s a reflection of sustained fi nancial pressure and growing inequality. Many families simply do not have enough income to cover basic living costs, let alone keep up with rates,” Northern Community Legal Centre chief executive Jenni Smith said. “Financial hardship rarely exists in isolation. We regularly see people facing a combination of housing stress, family violence, separation, and insecure work. These overlapping challenges make it incredibly difficult to stay on top of bills and avoid falling into debt.” The legal centre said it has seen a 92 per cent increase in demand for debt-related legal assistance over the past two years. In response to ongoing demand, the centre has established a dedicated economic justice team of lawyers and a fi nancial counsellor focused on housing stress and fi nancial hardship. However, Ms Smith said the demand continues to exceed what the centre can provide. “The number of ratepayers on payment arrangements and those referred to debt collection agencies highlights how widespread fi nancial stress has become,” she said. “While payment plans can help, they are not always enough when households are already stretched beyond their means.”
(Damjan Janevski). 555106_01
Boot scootin’ holiday fun Rising Sun Dancers are hosting two line dancing classes during the school holidays for some all ages fun. Linedance tutor and choreographer Debra Ciavarella will run both sessions, designed for parents to work alongside their kids. “It’s a cheap thing for parents, grandparents and young kids to do,” she said. Ms Ciavarella has been line dancing for a number of years, and after teaching with University of the Third Age in Brimbank years ago, she is bringing her skills to Sunbury for some trial classes.
“I think it’d be fantastic for the community, for the grandparents to do something they love,” she said. “It’s a good activity, and it’s good for your brain.” She said she wants people to have fun, learn a dance or two and feel confident through the classes. The sessions will take place at 10.30am on Monday 29 June and Monday 6 July at the Sunbury Community Centre, with prices at $12 for adults and $2 for one child. Bookings are essential. Bookings: debrajayne17@yahoo.com. au
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JUNE 26
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3PM - 7PM
12862331-RV23-26
By Georgia Tacey
Debra Ciavarella is hosting line dancing classes over the school holidays.