[Lee Clarke]

Hello all
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID 19), wondering what other Councils may provide as Rate Relief?

Thank you
Regards
Lee

[Cherie Muir]

Hi Lee
No firm consideration here but yes it will come up given a prolonged event.
Our Budget presentations to Councillors will occur shortly (virtually) and directions about rate relief may arise from there.
What will that be? No interest charged, extension of due date (by decision to give grace), no interest if on an arrangement, etc.
The State Govt may come out with something (like they did with the Bushfire crisis) clearly instructing us what to do.
We do expect cash flow implications as the 4th Instalment is unlikely to get the same payment response that it would in a normal year.
And of course other revenue streams that won’t be realised due to cancellation of services, etc.

Thanks for starting this thread. I hope all is well in your world.
Cherie

[Tracey Walker]

Hi Lee,

There has been discussion with both Councillors and Senior Management over the last few days in relation to exactly this and similar to what Cherie has stated above if the State Govt. may come out with something.

I have been advised this morning no decision has been made as yet although we do have our Debt Recovery & Hardship Assistance policy a clause where “Council can make a determination to grant a moratorium up to 90 days where a group/area of ratepayers and sundry debtors affected by a natural disaster or significant event. Applications for approval for this moratorium must be in writing.” So we are currently working through what the process might be.

But at this stage the communcation out to our Customer Service Team and Rates Team is business as ususal and if anyone is unable to pay either apply an extension to the due date or enter into a payment arrangement, this could change in the future.

Tracey

[Edwin Athaide]

We are in the same situation as Cherie and being inundated with calls for Hardship relief due to job losses.

I expect we will either get direction from the State Gov and we are currently looking at the overall budget impact before a decision is made on relief accross all areas of Council.

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