Snowy Monaro Regional Council proudly announces the launch of a new digital payment platform, Payble, available across the region with the upcoming rate notices in August 2025. Residents can choose from various flexible payment options on the platform, paying rates weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. They also enjoy the convenience of automatic debit from a designated account or card. The service offers complimentary SMS reminders and allows users to update their contact and payment information through a self-service online portal.

As the Snowy Monaro Regional Council states, “Visit the Payble® portal today to pay your rates quickly and easily.”

The Council will enhance service delivery, minimise missed payments, and strengthen governance regarding data sharing, cybersecurity, and privacy by implementing a cloud-hosted system that meets the PCI DSS, ISO/IEC 27001, and SOC2 standards. Residents can register by scanning the QR code on their rates notice. Users must enter their assessment number, verify their identity with a one-time SMS code, and select their preferred payment option. The system operates with certified controls that ensure compliance with PCI DSS, ISO/IEC 27001, and SOC 2 data security standards.

The platform offers a variety of tangible benefits and features that improve council service delivery and enhance the resident experience:

• Flexible payment methods and schedules: Residents can now choose payment options weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, breaking free from the previous quarterly restrictions. This improves financial stability and optimises cash flow management for both households and the council.
• Automatic direct debit options: Process payments directly from an assigned bank account, debit card, or credit card. By reducing late notifications and manual handling, this approach streamlines administrative tasks and ensures timely payment processing for residents.
• SMS reminders: Sending timely reminders before upcoming payments greatly reduces the chances of missing deadlines. This initiative reduces late fees for residents. The Council will reduce collection expenses and decrease the time staff spend recovering debts.
• Self service online portal: Community members can now update their contact information and payment details online, removing the need for in-person visits or phone calls to staff. This initiative streamlines processes for ratepayers and allows council staff to focus on more impactful services instead of routine transactions.
• Certified security compliance: The system complies with PCI DSS, ISO/IEC 27001, and SOC 2 standards. This assures residents that their payment and personal information remain secure while also demonstrating the Council’s adherence to regulatory standards for cybersecurity and data management.

This implementation marks a major shift in how councils handle revenue collection and deliver services. The council now oversees data collection, shares information, and collaborates with an external provider by integrating a cloud-hosted channel into its core operations.

Check out: “Government powers secure digital invoicing”

The new arrangements add responsibilities for data governance, cybersecurity, and privacy management, focusing on ensuring compliance with the NSW Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act and the council’s Agency Information Guide. Implementing measures that prevent the formation of new data silos is essential, as is ensuring a strong data infrastructure and secure cloud storage.

This initiative reflects the broader goals outlined in the Australian Government’s Data and Digital Government Strategy, emphasising the need to securely use data and technology to improve service delivery. The strategy highlights that the public sector will embrace emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, in an ethical, safe, and responsible manner to enhance digital capability. The NSW Government’s Data Governance Toolkit guides agencies in creating robust frameworks that focus on governance, privacy, and risk management when adopting third-party and cloud-based solutions.

Leaders in the public sector, including CEOs, CIOs, and COOs, can view the Snowy Monaro rollout as a prime example of how to implement digital government. This shows how councils can improve service delivery by adopting flexible, digital payment solutions and highlights the governance responsibilities that come with these advancements.

Executives must validate vendor certifications, update privacy notices and data sharing agreements, ensure that records management accurately captures transaction history, and align cybersecurity controls with state and federal frameworks. Implementing these controls allows platforms like Payable to facilitate future integration of artificial intelligence in service planning and analytics while maintaining trust.

Payble establishes the Snowy Monaro Regional Council as a pioneer in embracing digital payments, improving service delivery, and minimising administrative tasks. The platform addresses payment delays by implementing automated reminders and adaptable schedules, reducing debt recovery expenses, and enhancing convenience for residents.

Adhering to PCI DSS, ISO/IEC 27001, and SOC 2 enhances cybersecurity and privacy protections, ensuring compliance with NSW privacy requirements and aligning with the Australian Government’s Data and Digital Government Strategy, which promotes the secure use of cloud services and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The future showcases a strong digital government landscape, where councils actively integrate data sharing and governance frameworks. This approach breaks down silos and uses analytics responsibly to enhance planning and community outcomes.