TRC pensioner rebate

Tamworth Regional Council Pensioner and Hardship rebate    10 January 2024

As part of our ongoing communication around the special rate variation proposal, we wanted to share more information about our pensioner rebates and hardship policies which were on public exhibition in December and January. These policies were reviewed in response to feedback received during the community consultation period, recognising the need for adequate financial assistance options.

Our Councillors agreed to increase the rebate for ratepayers who receive an Australian Government pension/income support payment. The rebate will be $50 in addition to the State Government Funded existing rebate in the first year if a Special Rate Variation is approved and enacted, and $100 in the second year of the Special Variation and continue ongoing.

This has been formalised in our Ratepayers Pensioner Policy, which outlines the additional options for support and flexibility for eligible pensioners with regards to property debt incurred for their principal place of living.

The other document that has been on public exhibition is the Ratepayers Hardship Policy, which is to ensure equity to all ratepayers whilst assisting those experiencing financial hardship, and to ensure property debt is reduced consistently over time.

The intention is to encourage those facing hardship to reach out to our staff so they can try and find flexibility to accommodate individual circumstances.

Now the exhibition period has closed, Councillors will review any feedback and formally adopt the policies at an upcoming meeting.