Budget measures to help vulnerable

Published on 19 July 2022

Rockhampton Regional Council today adopted a budget which contains a number of measures which will help pensioners, community and sporting groups.

Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said it had been difficult to deliver a budget that takes into consideration the cost of living while ensuring Council is financially sustainable and continuing to provide the services and infrastructure that the community needs to grow.

“We have worked hard to find ways to make operational savings and avoid passing costs on to our community, while also providing relief where we can to some of our residents who were already struggling,” Mayor Williams said.

“This budget, we will continue to support sporting groups and community groups as well as pensioners.

“We know that rates form a large amount of sports and community groups’ operating costs which is why we want to help keep these costs down as best we can.

“A general rates rebate of up to 100% will be available for eligible sporting and community groups so these groups can focus on doing what they do best instead of having to raise funds to pay for their rates.

“Council will also continue to provide a rebate of $260 per annum to assist eligible pensioner ratepayers.

“When combined with the state government rebate of $200 per annum, this will be a welcome relief for our many pensioners in the community.

“For the rest of our ratepayers, we have kept the 10% discount for those who pay their rates by the due date to help lessen the financial burden.

“Another way Council can assist is by helping residents to set up a direct debit to spread the cost of your rates over the year into frequent payments instead of a lump sum.

“This means that come rates time, you have already paid for your rates throughout the year in smaller, more manageable amounts.

“At the end of the day, we will continue to strive to provide value for your rates money while ensuring our financial sustainability and maintaining service levels that the community expect and deserve.”

For more info on rates including applying for rebates and setting up direct debits, go to https://www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/AboutCouncil/Finance-Rates-and-Budget