From 15 June this year, Ashburton District Council customers who rely on cheques to make payments will need to use an alternate payment option, as the Council's bank moves to end their use.

Westpac bank will no longer be accepting cheques and Council Chief Executive Hamish Riach says any affected residents should investigate Council's other options in preparation of the end date.

"Cheques have gradually been falling out of favour with many of our customers over recent years, but the bank's decision to phase them out completely has really hastened the need for those remaining residents and businesses to shift to a different solution.

"We provide a variety of payment options to suit residents' preferences. If you are unsure which solution would work for you, please speak to your bank or come in and chat to our friendly customer service team," he said.

The Council has several payment options available:

• In person using cash, eftpos, credit or debit card.
• Online on the Council website ashburtondc.govt.nz/do-it-online using a credit or debit card, or through Account2Account, a secure online service that doesn't require credit or debit card details (this service is only supported by ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, TSB and Westpac banks).
• Internet bank transfer through your bank. Payments are to be made to: Ashburton District Council, bank account number 03-1592-0521970-000.
• Rates Easypay direct debit payments made weekly, fortnightly, bimonthly or monthly to suit individual budgets.

The last day Council will accept cheques is Tuesday 15 June, allowing for payments to be processed ahead of Thursday 25 June when Westpac officially stops accepting them.