Whittlesea council is owed $7.1 million in unpaid rates for the 2015-16 financial year.
The arrears relate to almost 6000 properties and is a $1.5million increase from 2014-15, when $5.6million in rates was outstanding.
Council property and valuations manager Gino Mitrione said 5977 properties in the municipality had an unpaid rates debt greater than $50.
He said the greatest amount owed by a single ratepayer was $60,000, for an industrial property.
“Council has processes in place to help ratepayers struggling to pay their rates,” Mr Mitrione said.
“We encourage residents to contact us to discuss their options. ”
Mr Mitrione said the council had placed more than 2000 ratepayers on payment arrangements, enabling them to pay rates in fortnightly or monthly instalments.
Meanwhile, Hume council was unable to say how much it is owed in outstanding rates.
Corporate services director Daryl Whitfort said the council was in the process of completing its annual financial statements, including the reconciliation of unpaid rates.
He advised ratepayers experiencing financial hardship to contact the council, which could consider payment options and place a hold on interest accumulating or offer time extensions.
Rates in both municipalities will rise by an average of 2.5 per cent this financial year, in line with the state government’s rate rise cap.
