Hardship Rate Relief policy

Council's policy, Hardship Rate Relief, fulfils the statutory requirements of the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) with respect to both the recovery of outstanding rates, annual charges and interest, and the provision of assistance to those ratepayers who are experiencing genuine financial hardship with the payment of their rates and annual charges.  A key objective is to work with ratepayers to achieve flexible alternatives to legal action where policy. In developing this policy, Council has taken into account the Debt Management and Hardship Guidelines issued under Section 23A of the Act by the Office of Local Government.

Council acknowledges that ratepayers will, for various reasons from time to time, fail to pay rates when they become due and payable to Council. It is not the intention of cause hardship to any ratepayer through Council's recovery procedures and consideration will be given to acceptable arrangements to clear the debt prior to the end of the current financial year, where possible. Council recognises there are cases of genuine financial hardship requiring respect and compassion in special circumstances. This policy establishes guidelines for assessment of a hardship application applying the principles of fairness, integrity, confidentiality and compliance with statutory requirements. It applies to all applications for waiving, alternative payment arrangements or writing off rates, fees, annual charges and interest accrued on such debts.

A copy of the draft Policy can be downloaded from the Document Library.

The draft Policy is on public exhibition from Monday 20 March until Monday 17 April 2023.