Post-flood financial relief measures available

Lockyer Valley Regional Council has adopted a range of financial measures to assist the region through the recovery phase of the recent severe weather event.

Lockyer Valley Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said Council understood the extensive impact this weather event is having throughout our community and believed immediate implementation of a range of relief measures would provide some much-needed assistance to the local community.

Council’s Hardship Policy offers assistance and options to property owners experiencing difficulties in paying council rates, charges and other related fees and charges due to financial hardship. Category Two of the Policy offers financial hardship assistance for Rates and Charges due to Declared Natural Disaster (drought, flood, fire, health pandemic etc).

Eligibility:

• The property owner is experiencing financial hardship due to drought, flood, fire, health pandemic or other declared natural disaster;
• Loss of income/employment due to drought, flood, fire, health pandemic or other declared natural disaster;
• The property is not vacant land;
• Usually the unforeseen change should have occurred within the last six months;
• The property owner is unable to maintain a realistic payment commitment.

Mayor Milligan said there was a range of assistance options available, including:

• Agreed payment commitment outside the current debt recovery action;
• Freezing of interest charges up to a maximum of six months; and
• Short term payment extension for the current half year rates only – deferment to a maximum period of 6 months to pay the current rates and charges with no loss of discount. *Must be applied for within 60 days from the date of issue of the current rate notice

The discounted due date for Council’s Rates Levy 2 was last Friday, 11 March and ratepayers in the community who have experienced financial hardship due to the flooding are encouraged to contact Council to discuss the matter.

“Residents are also encouraged to seek other income support options, such as the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA).

“This is a short-term income support payment to assist individuals who can demonstrate their income has been affected as a direct result of a disaster and offers assistance to employees, small business persons and farmers who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster.

“Residents who might be experiencing difficulties are encouraged to reach out to Council’s Rates team for further information,” Mayor Milligan said.

Impacted residents are strongly encouraged to visit a local Recovery Hub for access to further financial and mental health support, as well as links to donated goods.

The Laidley Recovery Hub is operating from 9am-5pm daily at the Laidley Cultural Centre, Laidley Plainland Road.

The Gatton Recovery Hub is operating from 9am-5pm daily at the Gatton RSL, 52 Crescent Street.

For further information, contact Council on 1300 005 872.