Discounts
A 5% discount will be granted on the following rates and charges if all rates and charges including any arrears are paid in full including interest by the due date stated on your rate notice.
- General rates
- Waste collection charges
- Waste management levy
The discount is offered as an incentive for the prompt payment of rates.
Payments made after the Due Date
Discount may be allowed if the full payment of the overdue rates and charges is made within the period specified by Council AND the applicant provides proof satisfactory to Council of any of the following:
- Illness involving hospitalisation and/or incapacitation of the ratepayer at or around the time of the rates being due for discount.
- The death or major trauma (accident/life threatening illness/emergency operation) of the ratepayer and/or associated persons (Spouse/Children/Parents) at or around the time of the rates being due for discount.
- The loss of records or failure of mail delivery resulting from factors beyond the ratepayer’s control (Fire/Flood etc).
and Council is satisfied that the event was not the cause of the ratepayer’s failure to make full payment by the due date.
Discount will NOT be allowed due to the:
- failure of the ratepayer to ensure that Council was given correct notification of the postal address
- for service of notices prior to the issue of the Rate Notices, or as a result of the failure of the ratepayer to ensure that Council was given the correct
- notification of the email address for service of the notices prior to the issue of the Rate Notices where the option for delivery by electronic means has been selected, or as a result of a change of ownership, where Council received notification of the change of ownership after the issue of the Rates Notice.
Pension Subsidies
Pension Subsidy Application Form [PDF: 130KB]
The Lockyer Valley Regional Council Pension Subsidy and the Queensland State Government Pension Subsidy aim to help pensioner property owners to remain in their own homes by reducing the financial impact of rates and charges levied.
Council has determined that pensioners as defined by the Local Government Regulation 2012 are entitled to receive concessions on rates and charges levied by Council.
In exercising these concession powers Council will be guided by the principles of:
- transparency by making clear the requirements necessary to receive concessions;
- equity by ensuring that all applicants of the same type receive the same concession.
Upon written application to Council, a pensioner maybe eligible for a pension concession.
To be eligible under the Council Pension Subsidy Scheme for a full or part remission of rates, the applicant must be an approved pensioner who meets all of the criteria below:
- Is the sole owner, joint owner, part owner or life tenant of a property,
- The property must be the principle place of residence of the pensioner or life tenant,
- Has, either solely or jointly with a co-owner, the legal responsibility for the payment of rates and charges as defined herein, which are levied in respect of the said property by the Lockyer Valley Regional Council
- Must be a current holder of one of the following cards:
- Queensland ‘Pensioner Concession Card' issued by Centrelink,
- a Veterans' Affairs Gold card
- a Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession card
- Repatriation Health card for all conditions.
Examples below:
These cards do not qualify for a remission: Seniors cards, Health Care cards and Health Benefit cards.
In the case of life tenancy, the applicant must meet the above criteria and provide:
- a certified copy of the will, stating the applicant is a life tenant and responsible for paying the rates OR
- a court order and death certificate
Remissions can only be granted on one property per half year.
Council Rate Pension Subsidy
You may be eligible for a full remission on your rates if you receive a full pension entitlement under these Government pensions.
- Age pension
- Carer payment
- Disability Support pension
- Wife pension
- Widow pension
- Parenting Payment Single and Service pension
- War Widow/Widower pensions with full Income Support Supplement
- Veterans' Affairs' Disability/TPI pension
Council may grant a remission on rates up to a maximum of $20 per half year
You may be eligible for a partial remission on your rates if you receive the part pension entitlement under these Government pensions:
- Age pension
- Carer payment
- Disability Support pension
- Wife pension
- Widow pension
- Parenting Payment Single and Service pension
- War Widow/Widower pensions with partial or no Income Support Supplement
- Veterans' Affairs' Disability/TPI pension
Council may grant a remission on rates up to a maximum of $10 per half year.
Those with Government Allowances (example: Newstart) may still be eligible for the Queensland State Government Subsidy.
Accounts in arrears
If a pensioner's rates account goes into arrears at anytime for any rates notice issued after 1 July 2012, Council will remove the Council Pensioner Subsidy. When all arrears are paid in full, the remission will be reinstated from the beginning of the following half yearly rating period.
The Queensland State Government component of the pension subsidy will continue even if the rates account is in arrears.
State Government Rate Pension Subsidy
Upon written application, a remission of rates will be granted to all pensioners who are eligible in accordance with the Administrative Guidelines of the Queensland State Government Pensioner Rate Subsidy Scheme.
The Queensland State Government currently grants a 20% remission on rates up to a maximum of $100 per half year ($200 per year).
State Fire Levy Pension Subsidy
This subsidy is funded & regulated by the State Government’s Department of Emergency Services. 20% off your Urban State Fire Levy (if applicable to your property).
Where can I find more information?
A full list of the concessions available on both Council and non-Council charges can be found on the State Department of Communities website.