Next rates bill slashed for Brisbane flood victims

Brisbane residents caught up in last week’s devastating floodwaters will have hundreds slashed from their next rates bill as part of a council recovery plan.

Almost 30,000 flood-affected Brisbane ratepayers will have hundreds slashed from their next rates bill under a recovery package announced by the council.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner on Sunday revealed flood victims can apply to reduce their upcoming rates bill by $250, meaning the average quarterly payment would be $183.

An estimated 28,000 residents and business owners are set to benefit.

Rates notices for 488,000 properties across Brisbane will also be postponed a month, so bills won’t arrive until the end of April.

According to Cr Schrinner this would give flood affected ratepayers time to apply for the rebate.

Flood-impacted commercial operators who have received their rates notices already will receive a rebate on their next bill.

A flooded Torwood Street, Auchenflower on March 03, 2022. Picture: Peter Wallis/Getty Images

Cr Schrinner said flood victims facing financial difficulties can also apply for a 60-day due date extension on their rates notices and access to payment plans.

“If your property was flooded in any way, you will be eligible for our rebate,” he said.

A Flood Recovery Taskforce will also be set up to support the recovery process and help Brisbane get back on its feet quicker.

“We used a similar approach during the COVID-19 pandemic and it worked really well,” Cr Schrinner said.

“We were able to enact that taskforce’s recommendations quickly and I want our Flood Recovery Taskforce to do the same.

Moreton Bay Regional Council earlier this week announced its ratepayers would be given twice as long to pay their upcoming rates bill in late March in “recognition of the hardships imposed by flooding across the region”.