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Residents and businesses affected by the recent flood will be offered financial relief following a unanimous decision at last night’s Council meeting.
Council supported a report to amend Council’s Revenue Policy to allow for a reduction in water consumption charges following the natural disaster event of late February 2022.
This would be done where water usage is abnormally high due to having to wash out premises following flood inundation, by averaging out the previous 3 years water consumption charges. Any spike in water consumption charges as a result of the flood would therefore effectively be eliminated.
Councillors also agreed to allow for the deferral of up to two quarters (6 months) of rate instalments with zero interest, to be repaid over a two-year period from 28 February 2022, where impact or hardship from flooding can be demonstrated.
Any lessees or licensees of Council land or buildings will also be offered a fee-free period, where the premises is unable to be used due to the recent flood, from the time of the event until reoccupation of the land or building.
Furthermore, in a situation where houses have been deemed uninhabitable, residents can contact Council to have their bin collection stopped and an adjustment will be made to their rate notice.
Mayor of Tweed Chris Cherry said Council had acted quickly to do what it could within its jurisdiction to offer financial relief for flood-affected residents and businesses.
“The Tweed has just experienced its biggest flood on record and we understand the financial cost on residents and businesses has been significant,” Cr Cherry said.
“Council is keen to help residents where we can.
“We understand it can be difficult to make household payments, particularly at this time, and hope this assistance agreed to by Councillors today might provide some relief.”
Residents experiencing difficulty in making payments can also apply for a special plan to be set up for individual ratepayers experiencing hardship. To apply for a hardship plan, visit Council’s website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/fees-payments.
The flood of February 2022 and the subsequent deluge is expected to cost more than $80 million in repairs to Council infrastructure, including $50 million in damages to the road network.
Additional support is being sought from State and Federal governments to help Council in the recovery process. Council is also advocating for more assistance for flood-affected residents and businesses.
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