[Michael Williams]

Good morning all,

With worsening seasonal conditions, I am wondering if any Councils are providing any kind of assistance to rate payers with assessments categorised (or sub-categories of) Farmland.

If so, what is the nature of the assistance and is it conditional?

[Simone Fisher]

Hi Michael, we’ve recently updated our hardship policy & on request of our Councilor’s have added some hardship provisions for farmland assessments. The new policy allows farmers affected by natural disasters or climatic conditions (drought, flood, etc) to defer payment of rates for the period of the drought plus a further 12 months or make an arrangement to pay outside of the usual instalments & then have interest written-off once the rate component of the account has been brought up-to-date. We take the initial request to defer payment or arrangement verbally as the Councilor’s wanted the process to be as easy as possibly but do explain that they would need to complete a hardship application & prove genuine hardship to have interest written-off once the rate component of the account is up-to-date.
We’ve also recently held any debt recovery against farmland assessments.
A copy of our hardship policy is available at http://www.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au/council/council-forms/?fid=3009 if needed.
Thanks,
Simone

[Tracey Walker]

Michael,

We only had a similar request last week from WIN news in relation to Council’s stance on the very same issue.

Under Council’s Debt Recovery & Hardship Assistance Policy we have two options a rate payer can apply to Council for hardship assistance. This will allow the rate payer to enter into a payment arrangement to pay outstanding rates & charges over a period of greater than 12 months. Or alternatively, Council can make a determination to grant a moratorium up to 90 days where a group/area of ratepayers affected by a natural disaster or significant event.

At this time we are unaware of any farmland properties that may be in this situation but there is no doubt that there is some and we will be hearing about it shortly.

[Nicholas Lew]

Hi Michael
Council has requested submissions on the provision of water from the dedicated standpipes at no charge to primary producers within the Bathurst Local Government Area. Submissions closed Monday 23 July 2018. Visit yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au
Council also resolved at its meeting on the 6 June 2018 to temporarily reduce the price of water sold from its standpipes in accordance with its Management Plan. This will now cost $2.50 per kL or $12.50 per 5,000 litres from 7 June 2018 until further notice. The rate will be reviewed as conditions vary.

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