Darwin council could waive rates for struggling homeowners, landlords

DARWIN council could waive rates for residents who can prove they have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, while landlords who offer rent relief to residential and commercial tenants could get more time to pay.

Darwin council Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis says council could waive rates for residents who can prove they have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, while landlords who offer rent relief to residential and commercial tenants could get more time to pay. Picture: Justin Kennedy

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DARWIN council could waive rates for residents who can prove they have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, while landlords who offer rent relief to residential and commercial tenants could get more time to pay.

Darwin council will consider the proposal at a council meeting on Tuesday night as part of a review of its hardship policy.

The council will review the hardship policy behind closed doors, but Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said there was still plenty of council money available to help people who were struggling financially.

“We’ve been talking to the department (of local government) and now there is a possibility to waive the rates,” he said.

“Come to us, talk to us, show us your hardship and we will sit down and consider your hardship.

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“I’m happy to go back and help commercial landlords, residential landlords and people who own their own house.”

Mr Vatskalis said he would push to have the first quarter rates of the 2020/2021 financial year deferred and a waiver of fees and charges extended.

“If you don’t have to pay the rates now and you can pay them in 12 months’ time it can provide a lifeline,” he said.

“If we don’t do anything, businesses will go under and in six months’ time when it’s back to normal, there will be nothing open and nothing to do.”

The first quarter rates of 20/21 are due at the end of September.

“At the end of the day if we don’t look after our people now we shouldn’t expect them to come back to look after us,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“I want our community to survive now and rebound quickly when we are back to normal.”

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Last week, Darwin council deferred current rates for the last quarter of this financial year until June 30.

The Lord Mayor’s proposal will be considered by all members of council at Tuesday night’s meeting.