Noosa Council 2019-20 Budget Document

Revenue Statement - 2019/20

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, Mines and Energy 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, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 24.
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 9.83% per annum.
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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