Budget surprises: your Gold Coast rate bill and how to get a discount

A range of rebates and reliefs have been unveiled for households, businesses and sports clubs in the council budget. Here’s everything you need to know.

BUDGET papers reveal the average general rate bill for Gold Coast property owners will be just less than $1600.

About 45 per cent of properties where their home is on a 750 sqm lot or less will pay the minimum rate of $1036, according to the city’s annual plan 2020-21 released today.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate delivers the 2020-21 budget. Pictured with deputy mayor Donna Gates, left. Picture: Tertius Pickard

The average general rate in this category is $1590, according to the city’s annual plan 2020-21.

Given the impact of COVID-19, council is offering a $26.9 million community and business support package which provides a range of discounts.

“This $9.1 million package means all principal place of residence ratepayers will receive a

financial rebate of $64 on their annual rates, which will benefit 137,800 properties,” the budget papers said.

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For non-owner-occupier ratepayers, they can access a hardship payment plan.

“This $600,000 initiative enables them to receive a rebate equal to 50 per cent of the discount if their rates bill is paid within 120 days. Interest rate on overdue rates capped at 3 per cent,” the budget papers said.

“All overdue rates attract penalty interest, which would have been set at 8.53 per cent under the Local Government Act. In a provision worth $1.3 million, the interest rate on all overdue rates will be capped at 3 per cent.”

Council confirmed that ratepayers on payment arrangements are not charged interest.

The budget papers also confirmed no price increase from the city on water and sewerage charges.

“This $3.6 million initiative means 248,970 residential water customers and 16,300 non-

residential sewer customers will benefit,” the budget papers said.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate delivers the 2020-21 budget. Pictured with Deputy Mayor Donna Gates. Picture: Tertius Pickard

But council cautioned that “State charges for water consumption are out of council’s control”, which means the bulk water delivered to the city could see increases in future bills.

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The city’s water and sewerage hardship program where $2.15 million is available for residential and business customers experiencing financial difficulties in paying their water and sewerage bills includes:

• The penalty interest rate on all overdue rates being reduced from 8.53 per cent to 3 per cent.

• The provision of financial counselling using external financial planners to customers

who are having difficulty paying their water bills.

• Giving eligible customers assistance to identify and repair minor leaks and install

water saving devices.

• Identified commercial customers will have smart meters installed at no cost to

prevent water loss.

Surfers SLSC President Trevor Hendy toasts new renovations with Supporters Club president Jon Neilsen. Clubs will get a budget boost. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Community organisations will benefit from rent assistance with the initiative worth $183,165 in rent relief on community facility leases for 12 months, helping 320 not-for-profit organisations.

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Twelve months rent relief will be granted to liquor licence holders at 41 eligible surf and

sports clubs, in a package worth $248,987.

Community lease relief will be provided to 16 NFP sporting organisations for six months.

Hire fees for sports facilities which will benefit 128 organisations will also be waived, in a support package worth $228,000.

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Similarly, hire fees at City community centres will be waived for one month when reopened, benefiting 780 groups in an initiative valued at $100,000.

Not-for-profit groups can access a support package valued at $1.95 million and includes

one-off hardship grants for organisations supporting vulnerable residents, with funding for approximately 250 organisations.

Outside shot of the Helensvale Hornets club — sports clubs will get budget help.

In a move which will be welcomed by traders, council announced an end of special rates for precincts and deferral of new tourism funding model.

“In a package valued at $2.6 million, 50 per cent of the funding of Major Events Gold Coast will be deferred for 12 months, benefiting 26,000 properties paying the Tourism Economic

Diversification Differential rate,” the budget papers said.

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“Additionally, the rates payable for the three tourism precinct alliances — Broadbeach, Surfers

Paradise and Southern Gold Coast and Southport CBD — will not be levied in 20/21. About 11,500 properties had been paying this special rate.”

Fees for roadside dining for 329 small businesses across the city will be waived for 12

months, in a package valued at $1.28 million.

Ratepayers can phone Customer Service on 1300 465 326 to find out about these discount packages, and for grants go to cityofgoldcoast.com.au/covid19grants.