The Debt Recovery Policy for Property Debts has been reviewed and simplified.

Income generated from rates and charges is used to fund many of the services and facilities provided by Council across the whole of the Council region.

The aim of this policy is to achieve payment for property related debts without increasing the ratepayer debt with legal costs and when appropriate develop a mutually acceptable payment arrangement.

The focus of the Ratepayers Hardship Policy is to ensure equity to all ratepayers whilst assisting those experiencing financial hardship, to ensure property debt is reduced consistently over time.

The intention is to encourage those facing hardship to reach out to Council and give staff the flexibility to accommodate individual circumstances.

For assistance specific to those receiving a Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs pension, please refer to Council's Pensioner Policy.

This policy outlines the additional options for support and flexibility for eligible pensioners with regards to property debt incurred for their principal place of living.

The policy formalises Council's intention to annually assess the feasibility of providing a voluntary pensioner rebate to eligible pensioners as part of the annual budget process.