Meeting papers

COUNCIL POLICY – RATES AND CHARGES FINANCIAL HARDSHIP




       To be eligible, the landowner must submit a completed Hardship Concession Application Form and
       a statutory declaration including sufficient supporting information such as:

       (a)   the event or events that impacted on the landowner’s ability to pay the rates and charges
       (b)   the landowner’s estimated income and expenditure from all sources for the year in which the
             application is made, and for previous financial years when the rates and charges were not
             paid
       (c)   the current balances of any bank accounts and investment accounts held by or for the
             landowner, and a description of all loans including balances owing, and if relevant the extent
             to which any loan payment is overdue (note that account numbers will not by requested and
             should not be provided)
       (d)   the landowner’s assets – whether the asset is owned by the landowner or by a company in
             which the landowner has a controlling interest – including the estimated value of each asset
       (e)   details of superannuation fund balances and if an early release has been sought to assist in
             paying the debts.

 2. A 2-year interest free payment plan under which all outstanding rates and charges will be paid within
    2 years of the agreement.

       To be eligible for this type of concession the landowner must provide the information requested for
       the 12-month interest free payment plan and provide proof they have engaged with a licensed
       accountant or other licensed financial counsellor, who has determined that there is a reasonable
       expectation the landowner will be able to clear all outstanding rates and charges within the 2-year
       period.

 Information on where to access a financial counsellor can be found on the Australian Government
 website www.afsa.gov.au/i-cant-pay-my-debts/support-services/where-find-help-managing-debts.

 Payment plans under the Policy will be interest-free for a maximum period of 2 years from the date the
 plan is approved by Council. Interest accrued prior to this date will not be reversed/rebated. Payment
 plans will be reviewed quarterly, and interest will accrue again from the date of any default in making
 a payment under the agreed plan.

 Council’s usual debt recovery action will be suspended while a payment plan is in place and being
 followed. Council officers must ensure that the aggregate of outstanding rates and recovery costs does
 not exceed the market value of the property.

 Exceptional Circumstances

 After obtaining a concession under the Policy, a landowner is not eligible to make another application
 for two years unless s/he:

 (a)     demonstrates in the fresh application that s/he has made significant progress in reducing the
         value of arrears (generally a 40% reduction in the debt will be regarded as significant progress),
         or
 (b)     demonstrates that s/he exhausted all other avenues to avoid, alleviate or escape the hardship –
         for example by making real efforts to sell the property or other assets.

 Exceptional circumstances beyond those recognised in the Policy will be considered case-by-case and
 presented to the Council for individual consideration.


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