Toowoomba Regional Council extends drought assistance

The Toowoomba Region continues to be affected by dry conditions and as such Council will extend its assistance of financial relief.

The decision was moved today (21 January 2020) at the Ordinary Meeting of Council, with Councillors voting unanimously in favour of the motion.

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Finance and Business Strategy Committee Chair Cr Mike Williams said the decision to continue the policy provided much-needed respite to rural residents who have been experiencing hardship.

“We introduced this form of relief during the 2018/19 financial year hoping that conditions would improve throughout our Region,” he said.

“While we received some much-needed rain over the weekend, unfortunately this has not been the drought-breaking rain we require. Follow up rain is desperately needed and it is therefore acknowledged that it will take a long time for our rural producers to recover from the effects of the drought.

“The drought has placed significant financial and emotional pressures on our rural communities and Council had no hesitation in extending this form of assistance.

“Council will defer the payment of the Rate Notice and the Water Rate Notice issued during the second half of the 2019/20 financial year until September 2020.

“By making this decision we’re also ensuring that rural residents who have been drought-affected are still able to receive their discount which normally only applies when your Rate Notice is paid within 31 days.

“Any rural ratepayer who owns a drought-affected property in the TRC area, and is able to demonstrate eligibility for the Australian Government Farm Household Allowance as a direct result of the drought, will be eligible for the deferment of payments from Council.”

In the 2018/19 financial year TRC received 150 applications for deferments.

Rural residents who find that deferment has resulted in an accumulation of debt which has placed an additional burden and strain of their financial management situation, are encouraged to make a separate application to Council for the purposes of pursuing individual payment arrangements in accordance with Council’s adopted policy and established procedures.

Rural residents who are unsure whether they are eligible, should contact Council on 131 872.