Apply for COVID-19 rates postponement

For businesses (including farming):

• A significant (approximately 30% or more) reduction in revenue when compared to a similar time period (at least one month) in the 2019/20 financial year as result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and
• All necessary steps have been taken to claim central government benefits or allowances that the ratepayer is entitled to, including the government’s interest-free loan scheme, and
• An agreed direct debit payment plan is in place to ensure rates are fully paid by the date to which the rates have been postponed.

For personal ratepayers:

• Unemployment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, or
• Normal household income from all sources has significantly reduced (approximately 30% or more) when compared to a similar time period (at least one month) in the 2019/20 financial year as result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and
• All necessary steps have been taken to claim central government benefits or allowances that the ratepayer is entitled to, and
• An agreed direct debit payment plan is in place to ensure rates are fully paid by the date to which the rates have been postponed.

The 2019/20 4th quarter rates due 27 May 2020 will be able to be postponed to 25 November 2020 (i.e. postponed for up to 6 months).

All 2020/21 rates will be able to be postponed to 30 June 2021 (i.e. allowing ratepayers the full year to pay their 2020/21 rates).

You can postpone any amount up to the total value of rates payable. We will require an agreed direct debit plan to be in place to ensure that the rates are fully paid by the date to which they have been postponed.

There is no charge for postponing 2019/20 4th quarter rates.

A postponement fee will apply to postponement of the 2020/21 rates:

• $50 for postponed rates of up to $3,000
• $75 for postponed rates of $3,000 to $5,000
• $100 for postponed rates of over $5,000

The postponement fee covers the Council’s administrative and financial costs, and can be added to the postponed rates.