2015-06-12 Special Meeting

Revenue Statement -2015/16

2.5.2     Arrangements to Pay
Arrangements to pay pursuant to Section 129 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 will be
entered into for properties with the differential general rate category of 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 27, 28, 29 or 30, where there are no overdue rates and charges from previous
rating periods and the ratepayer and Council agree that such arrangements will allow the outstanding
rates or charges payable to be paid by the end of the current billing period.
An application for an arrangement should be received by Council prior to 31 July 2015 or 31 January
2016. Under an arrangement no discount will be provided for rates which are due. Repayments will
be calculated as at the time of applying for an arrangement and will not incur interest charges.
Where a ratepayer defaults on an arrangement to pay, the arrangement will be cancelled, and
interest will be charged on the overdue rates and charges in accordance with section 2.5.1 of this
revenue statement from the date of default. Additionally Council will not enter into any further
arrangements during the rating period covered by the initial arrangement request.


2.6       Deferment of General Rates
Chapter 4 Part 10 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 allows Council to grant a rating
concession to certain ratepayers by entering an agreement to defer the payment of rates and
charges.
Pursuant to section 120(1)(a), section 121(b) and section 122(1)(b) of the Local Government
Regulation 2012 Council may allow eligible pensioners to enter into an agreement to defer the
payment of rates.
2.6.1     Deferment for Pensioners
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 have experienced financial
hardship Council will allow deferment of up to 50% of the general rate. The deferred rates will
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
       a Repatriation Health (Gold) Card issued by the Department of Veteran Affairs; OR
       a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card; OR
       a Queensland Seniors Card issued by the Queensland State Government.
Note that 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.
2.6.2     Interest Charges
Interest Charges, or the payment of an additional charge, shall be applied to all deferred general
rates under Section 122(5) of the Local Government Regulation 2012. The interest shall be
compound interest, calculated in daily rests. The interest rate shall be set at the 90 day bank bill rate
as at the adoption of the 2015/16 Budget.
2.6.3     Application to Defer
Ratepayers will be required to apply for a deferment of the general rate. Upon approval of the
application the deferment agreement will continue until Council is notified in writing to cease the
agreement, or until such time as the property is sold, or upon the death of the ratepayer, or until the
due date for payment as specified in the provisions of the deferment agreement

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