[Ian Clayton]

Hi All,

Below is an email update we received from Service NSW in relation to payment of rates for people who have lost their home in the bush fires. Also below are their FAQ’s.

We only have a small number in our LGA. We have supplied rates information for effected properties and an invoice for the total amount of rates to Service NSW. Not sure when the payment will be made, but I understand they intend to deposit the amount into Council’s bank account.

Cheers
Ian

The NSW Government has announced six months of council rates relief to ease the financial burden for anyone whose property suffered damage beyond repair in the recent bushfires.

To help local communities recover and rebuild, the NSW Government will pay council rates notices for eligible customers for quarter 3 (Jan – March) and quarter 4 (April – June) this financial year (2019/2020). This includes the land rates component and fixed service charges such as waste, water and sewerage where the amount is included on the council rates notice only.

Once we have all the information we need, Service NSW will transfer funds directly to local councils. After payment has been made to the council, we will advise the customer that they have been deemed eligible to have their Council rates notices paid in full for Q3 and Q4, and that their payment has been processed.

If the customer has paid their Q3 and Q4 rates notice fully in advance, we will advise the customer that an automatic credit will be applied to their account by Council. If the customer has paid their rates notice in full for the financial year and requests a refund, we will direct customers to contact their local council to arrange this.

Customers with questions or disputes about assessment or eligibility, including queries about how to add their property to the register for assessment, need to contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit a service centre with a copy of a recent rates notice.

NSW Government council rates notice relief – Frequently Asked Questions

In early February, the NSW Government announced six months of council rates notice relief to ease the financial burden on home, farm and small business owners whose property suffered damage beyond repair in the recent bushfires.
To help local communities recover and rebuild, the NSW Government will pay council rates notices for eligible customers for quarter 3 (Jan – March) and quarter 4 (April – June) this financial year (2019/2020). This includes the land rates component and fixed service charges such as waste, water and sewerage where the amount is included on the council rates notice only.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for relief, a ratepayer:
• must own a residence, farm or business in a declared disaster area; and
• have the property deemed damaged beyond repair by the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and/or Emergency Information Coordination Unit (EICU)
If the only structure damaged or destroyed is an outbuilding, the property does not qualify for relief.
How does the ratepayer apply?
No application is necessary. Service NSW will make the payment directly to local councils for properties that have been assessed as eligible for NSW Government rates relief.
How will the ratepayer know if they have qualified for rate relief?
Home, farm and business owners who qualify for relief will receive an email and SMS notification from Service NSW that their rates notices have been paid for Q3 and Q4 of this financial year.
What if a ratepayer has paid their rates notices in advance?
If the ratepayer has already paid their Q3 and Q4 rates notices fully in advance, the amount should be automatically applied as a credit against their account. If the ratepayer would like a refund rather than an automatic credit, they will be advised to speak to their council to arrange this.
What can ratepayers do if their property is not on the register for rates relief?
If a ratepayer has not received a notification of eligibility and believes they should have, direct them to Service NSW on 13 77 88 or a local Service NSW service centre. They will need a copy of their latest rates notice available for reference. Service NSW will liaise with the Office of Emergency Management regarding assessment of the property and contact the customer with an outcome as soon as possible.
Who can ratepayers talk to if they want to dispute the outcome of a property assessment?
Direct ratepayers to Service NSW on 13 77 88 or a local Service NSW service centre. They will need a copy of their latest rates notice available. A Service NSW customer service representative will lodge the dispute and Service NSW will advise the outcome as soon as possible.
What other help is available to impacted ratepayers?
Ratepayers who have been impacted by the bushfires can visit our Service NSW Bushfire Customer Care Service website or call 13 77 88 for information about:
• Support and resources
• Local events and recovery centres
• Replacing lost documents and licences
• Emergency contacts and services
• Assistance with small business recovery, including loans and grants
• NSW bushfire free clean-up registration