Darwin residents, businesses in hardship amid coronavirus crisis could see first-quarter council rates waived following $13.1m local government stimulus package
DARWIN residents and businesses could have their first-quarter rates waived if they are going through hardship thanks to the NT Government’s $13.1 million recovery package for local government.
Northern Territory
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DARWIN residents and businesses could have their first-quarter rates waived if they are going through hardship thanks to the NT Government’s $13.1 million recovery package for local government.
Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said he wanted to waive or defer rates, depending on how much hardship his residents were going through.
“After the announcement from the NT Government yesterday, I will be bringing forward a motion to waive rates for the first quarter of next financial year, for tenants who have proven to landlords they are in financial hardship,” he said.
“If it’s residential and the tenant has lost their job, they have to provide documents from Centrelink. I will waive for at least the first quarter.”
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If approved, rates wouldn’t be due for some until November.
Mr Vatskalis said a permanent waiving of rates in one block, rather than a permanent reduction, would ensure council could maintain services.
“We can’t forego rates forever otherwise we can’t provide services … but if we can relieve rates for the first quarter … it will help out a lot of people,” he said.
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Mr Vatskalis said his plan would need the backing of the other elected members when his proposal goes through council, either next week or at the first meeting of May.
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