3000 ratepayers apply for relief but one in four denied and another 1000 awaiting a decision

More than one in four people who applied for rates relief from a major southeast Queensland council have missed out. More than 1000 more are still waiting to hear back from the council.

Almost 3000 people have applied for Moreton Bay Council’s rate rebate.

ONE in four Moreton Bay property owners who applied for rates relief have had their applications knocked back and more than 1000 more applicants are still waiting on an answer.

Almost 3000 ratepayers in Moreton Bay have applied for a rates rebate under the council’s COVID-19 stimulus.

As impacts from the coronavirus pandemic continue to hit many families hard, Moreton Bay Regional Council in March introduced a $100 rebate on rates for both this and the next quarter — $200 in total.

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The rates relief is open to owner-occupier households that have already qualified for the Centrelink coronavirus supplement.

As of Friday morning, the council has received 2945 rebate applications.

Of those, 767 applications were ineligible and 1124 are still being processed.

A total of 1054 people have received their $100 rates rebate and can expect another $100 rebate to apply automatically in the next quarter.

The rebate was part of the council’s $15 million stimulus package announced on March 26.

A new round of economic stimulus is on the way though details are still being determined.

“This assistance is vital to those who are experiencing financial strain and Council is committed to doing more to support locals in need,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.

“Still, I encourage residents to get onto our website to check your eligibility for the two-part payment, which totals $200.

“We know many are stretched thin at the moment, so we’ve set up a payment plan for everyone, even if you receive a rebate, to help pay off your rates.”

Moreton Bay Regional Council’s new Councillors were sworn in last week, with all agreeing to immediately work on a second stimulus package, in addition to last month’s $15 million package.

“We have been working hard and focusing on assisting our community with COVID-19 recovery stages required to help residents, businesses and community groups to bounce back from these challenging times,” councillor Cath Tonks (Div 9) told Quest Community News this week.

The council has confirmed the new relief package will be considered for approval at its May 13 meeting.