I am writing to inquire whether your council provides a rebate for ratepayers who are Commonwealth Seniors Health Cardholders. If so, could you kindly advise the amount of the rebate and any specific eligibility requirements that apply?
Your assistance in providing this information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your time, and I look forward to your response.
kind regards
Suzy
I also agree with Robert and Andrew that Commonwealth Seniors Health Cardholders are not eligible pensioners.
Section 577 allows an extension of the concession to avoid hardship but only in 2 very specific set of circumstances. Both sections require there to be an eligible pensioner on the land.
There are no laws allowing an extension of the concession to Commonwealth Seniors Health Cardholders without there being at least one eligible pensioner using the dwelling as their sole or principal place of living.
The following is from the minutes of the 21 March 2017 Council meeting.
CS1. Strathfield Council Community Strategic Plan
39/17
RESOLVED: (Kokkolis/McLucas)
5. That Council give notice of its intention to place upon public exhibition for 28 days:
i. Make and levy an Ordinary Rate to comprise a base rate and ad valorem rating
structure for both Residential and Business categories of rates on all rateable land
for 2017-2018, as set out in the Report; and
ii. Increase rates income by 1.5% in 2017-2018 in accordance with the permissible rate
increase set by IPART.
iii. That the concessional domestic Waste Management Charge of $600 applicable to
pensioners be extended to Commonwealth Senior Health Cardholders for their
principal place of residence of the same address;
iv. That the concessional Pensioner Rebate be extended to Commonwealth Senior
Health Cardholders for their principal place of residence of the same address.
Unfortunately the resolution does not allow for the voluntary rebate to extend beyond the limitations in the legislation to Senior Health Cardholders. I would advise against it.
Sorry, dont want this to look like a critisism just think it is important that others are aware that the voluntary rebate or the reduction of a rate or charge can only be performed for an eligible pensioner as defined under Section 136 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021.
Exactly. Words to the effect were thrown around at the time, however it fell on deaf ears. In addition, you’ll note there wasn’t any mention in the resolution of what Section of the Act the rebate was being offered.
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