2017-11-07 S&O Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 10 - Annual Report 2016-17

Deferral of general rates
To assist eligible pensioners who have experienced large increases in the value of their property as
determined by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, or who have experienced financial
hardship, Council allows deferment of up to 50% of the general rate by way of application.

The deferred rates accumulate as a debt against the property until it is sold or until the death of the
ratepayer.

The deferment of general rates applies only to rates payable with respect to land included in Differential
General Rates Categories 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 28 & 30.

To be eligible to defer up to 50% of the general rate the applicant must:
   own and occupy the property, and
   have no overdue rates and charges on the said property, and
   be the holder of a Pension Concession Card issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veteran
    Affairs, or
    o a Repatriation Health (Gold) Card issued by the Department of Veteran Affairs, or
    o a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, or
    o a Queensland Seniors Card issued by the Queensland State Government.

Automatic eligibility applies to those ratepayers currently receiving a Pension Concession on their rate
notice. Eligibility for those ratepayers with a Seniors Card will be assessed accordingly.


Interest charges on deferred rates
In accordance with s122(5) of the LG Regulation, Council is authorised to charge interest, or request
payment of an additional charge, to all deferred general rates for the relevant period.

For the period there was one rate payer who had their general rates deferred for the relevant period.


Available pensioner concessions for the period
Table 9 below provides a summary of available pensioner concessions for the period.
Table 9 – Pensioner Concessions

Pension Rate                           Sole title to the property       Joint title to the property
Maximum level of pension               $230 p.a. maximum                $180 p.a. maximum
                                       $115 per half year               $90 per half year
Not maximum level of pension           $115 p.a. maximum                $65 p.a. maximum
                                       $57.50 per half year             $32.50 per half year

Single owner on the maximum rate of pension
Where the pensioner was in receipt of the maximum level of pension and had sole title to the property
that is their principal place of residence for the period, the concession was 25% of the general rate up
to a maximum amount of $230.00 per annum.

Joint owner on the maximum rate of pension
Where the pensioner was in receipt of the maximum level of pension and owned the property jointly
with one or more people for the period, the concession was 25% of the general rate up to a maximum
amount of $180.00 per annum.


                                                                       Noosa Council | Annual Report 2016 - 2017
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