Local Government Assistance

Local governments have announced measures to support not for profit organisations in their constituencies.

New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

NSW

City of Sydney Council
- Fees waived for health and building compliance activities
- Rent review on a case by case basis for tenants that require support
- Standard contractual terms and return booking and banner fees waived for venue bookings
- Waived market permit and filming fees
- A flexible approach to parking and other infringements
- Quick Response Grants for eligible not-for-profit organisations based in regional NSW

Lake Macquarie City Council
- Interest on overdue rates waived
- Flexible payment plans available for eligible ratepayers
- Redeployment of Council staff to community organisations where volunteers are ordinarily used, to help with day-to-day operations.

Links for further information:

City of Sydney Community support

City of Sydney Grants and Sponsorships

Lake Macquarie City Community support

NT

City of Darwin
- COVID-19 Response Grants of up to $10,000 to community groups or organisations to create and deliver innovative solutions to meet the needs of the community due to the impacts of COVID-19.

City of Palmerston
- Free council venue hire until 30 June 2021
- Free parking in the city area until 30 June 2021with refund of eligible parking permits available.
- Waiving of interest, charges and fees, on application, on unpaid rate amounts
- Ratepayers whose rate balance is in credit for 2019/20 financial year to be offered refund of the balance.
- Community Benefit Scheme funding of up to $5,000 for Community Groups and Organisations.

MacDonnell Regional Council
- Financial support for ratepayers through:
  - zero % increase of rates and fees and charges for 2020/21;
  - no interest charged on outstanding rates from 1 March to 30 June 2020; and
  - Deferment of rates payment to 1 January 2021.

Links for further information:

City of Darwin COVID-19 Response Grants Program Guidelines

City of Palmerton COVID-19 Update

MacDonnell Regional Council COVID-19 Rate Relief

QLD

Brisbane City Council
- Rates deferrals and payment plans for those experiencing hardship.
- Rates rebates for eligible not for profit organisations
- Waiving all charges, rents, levies and permit fees. Rent fees or permits required to be paid will be waived until 31 December 2020. Businesses that have paid these fees since 1 March will have them refunded.
- One-off water payment rebate of $5,000 for eligible community sports clubs.
- Refunding fees or charges for events cancelled due to COVID-19
- Freeze car parking fees for on-street parking and in council-owned parking lots in the CBD.

Bundaberg Regional Council
- A moratorium on interest for outstanding rates and charges
- Refunding all fees related to event permits and venue bookings
- Deferring fees and charges for sporting clubs and associations
- Assistance for sporting clubs and community organisations through a grants program.

Cairns Regional Council
- Financial Hardship Assistance for eligible ratepayers

Cassowary Coast Regional Council
- Community Assistance Scheme Grants up to $3,000 for local not for profit organisations closing 26 February 2021
- Refunding fees for events and bookings cancelled due to COVID-19

City of Townsville
- No rates increase for owner-occupiers in next 6-month period
- Payment plans available for eligible ratepayers
- 50% sewage concession for all not-for-profit sporting groups
- Refunding the hiring and other fees associated with the proposed use of any Townsville City Council venue that is unable to proceed because of the coronavirus control measures.
- 25% reduction in infrastructure charges for local job creation

Cloncurry Shire Council
- Deferral of rates for eligible ratepayers impacted by COVID restrictions

Fraser Coast Regional Council
- Grants of up to $10,000 for sporting and community groups adversely affected by coronavirus restrictions
- Refunding all event application and permit fees for events cancelled as a result of coronavirus restrictions
- COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy

Gladstone Regional Council
- Freezing interest on outstanding rates and charges
- Financial support for sporting and community organisations.

City of Gold Coast
- Waiving hire fees at City community centres for one month when reopened.
- Fees on sports fields and courts waived for 2020/21
- Financial rebate of $64 on annual rates automatically applied.
- Concession for non owner-occupier ratepayers on a payment plan
- Reduced interest rate, charged on unpaid water charges, waste water charges, waste charges and rates for eligible ratepayers.
- No price increase on water and sewage charges
Gympie Regional Council
- Financial Hardship Policy endorsed
- Reduction of 5% in general rates under short term payment arrangement

Isaac Region
- Community Grants for community, cultural and sporting organisations.

Logan City Council
- Hardship arrangements available for ratepayers

Mareeba Shire Council
- Rate remission for Council approved not-for-profit community, recreation and sporting groups
- Extended payment arrangements for ratepayers
- Reduction of interest rate for overdue rates for eligible ratepayers
- Legal action for overdue rates suspended
- Deferred repayments of existing community loans

Mount Isa Council
- Community grants available

Redland City Council
- $2 million assistance package which includes doubling the amount of time to pay next rates bill and reduced red tape for community groups,
Sunshine Coast Council
- COVID-19 Community Response Grants of up to $10,000 to assist impacted community organisations

Flexible payment arrangements available for eligible ratepayers

Toowoomba Region Council
- Providing community groups, including sporting organisations, with grants of up to $499.
- $125 rate concession for residents

Western Downs Regional Council
- Community Hardship & Assistance Financial grants of up to $10,000 for eligible community organisations
- Community infrastructure grant funding of up to $200,000 for eligible not for profit community groups or sporting groups
- Financial Hardship Assistance available

Whitsunday Regional Council
- Rates Relief Package for eligible ratepayers
- Incentives discounts for on-time rates payment

Financial Hardship Assistance available

Links for further information:

Council Updates and Impacts

Bundaberg Coronavirus Information

Cairns Information

Cassowary Coast Coronavirus Information

Townsville Support and Information

Cloncurry COVID-19 Update

Fraser Coast Business Support

Gladstone Coronavirus Information

Gold Coast COVID-19 Updates

Gympie Information

Isaac Coronavirus Information

Logan COVID-19 Information

Mareeba Shire Council COVID-19 Information

Mount Isa COVID-19 Information

Redland City Council Support & Information

Sunshine Coast Council Support & Information

Toowoomba Region Coronavirus Information

Townsville City Council Support & Information

Western Downs Region Recovery Package

Whitsunday Information

SA

Adelaide City Council
- 100% rent free for three months for community leases of council-owned buildings
- Rates Financial Hardship assistance
- Once-off funding of up to $10,000 for Quick Response Funding – Events and Festivals

Berry Barmera Council
- Waived or reduced fees and charges associated with COVID-19 economic hardship to community groups, clubs and associations on Council owned premises.
- Waived fines and penalties for late payment of rates
- Payment plans and arrangements based on hardship
- Rate remission and capping on residential and commercial properties
- COVID-19 Support Grants up to $500 for eligible not-for-profit community organisations

City of Onkaparinga
- No increase on rates for 2020/21
- Extension for rate payment for second quarter (2020/21) rates up to 31 January 2021
- Extension for rate payments up to 8 weeks past the due date.
- Sporting clubs and community groups using Council facilities forced to close down will have their lease and associated costs waived for three months to 31 December 2020.

City of Port Adelaide Enfield
- Rates Hardship Policy available

Wakefield Regional Council
- Rent relief for significantly impacted sporting clubs and community groups with full remission of fourth quarter 2019/20 rates and service charges for eligible ratepayers

Links for further information:

Adelaide COVID-19 Latest Information

Berri Barmera Council Information

City of Onkaparinga COVID-19 Update

Port Adelaide Enfield COVID-19 Update

Wakefield COVID-19 Support Package

TAS

Break O’Day Council
- Providing a Rates Hardship Assistance Policy for ratepayers struggling to pay their rates including:
  - Allowing time for rates to be paid with no penalties, interest or recovery action
  - Writing off of penalty or interest charges due to late payments
  - In extreme hardship, writing off rates charged to a property
- Penalties and interest for the fourth instalment of the 2019/20 rates instalment waived.
- No increase in general rate for 2020/21

Brighton Council
- No increase in rates for 2020/21

Burnie City Council
- Assistance for ratepayers including:
  - Rate freeze for 2020/21
  - Waiving of penalty interest on outstanding rates balances from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020
  - Deferral of 2020/21 rates to later instalment payment times in 2020/21
- Waiving of community lease payments in 2020/21 and insurance charges for 2019/20 and 2020/21

Devonport City Council
- Waived grounds fees to sporting clubs
- 2020/21 Community Financial Assistance Scheme Grants up to $25,000

Glamorgan Spring Bay Council
- No increase on general rates for 2020/21
- Remission of all/part of general rates for Community Groups and Religious Organisations
- Financial Hardship Assistance Policy

Glenorchy City Council
- Ratepayers suffering from financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 can apply for:
  - Additional time to pay rates or fines
  - Removal of penalties and interest applied to overdue rates bill
  - Waiving other fees owed to Council
- Waiving penalties and interest on outstanding fourth quarter rates notices
- Refunding fees and charges for Council facilities that have had to close or events that have had to be cancelled

Hobart City Council
- Interest and penalties deferred for ratepayers
- A freeze on general rates and most fees and charges for the 2020-21 financial year.
- Financial Hardship Assistance Policy for eligible ratepayers
- Rent relief for tenants of City-owned premises that are experiencing hardship
- Community Quick Response Grant up to $500.

Huon Valley Council
- Zero % increase of the general rates for 2020/21
- Payment arrangements for eligible ratepayers experiencing difficulty
- Financial Hardship and Payment Assistance Policy providing assistance

Launceston City Council
- Remission of the general rates and general charges for six months for the eligible Sport and Recreation rates categories
- Zero % increase of the general rates for 2020/21
- Interim Rates and Charges Hardship Policy for eligible ratepayers.
- Exemption of the general rates and fire levy for land owned and occupied exclusively for charitable purposes.
- Financial support for community centres and agencies providing food packages to those in need.

Northern Midlands Council
- Zero % increase of the general rates and planning fees and building fees for 2020/21
- Remission of the general rates for eligible ratepayers with the Sport & Recreation general rate category for a period of 4 months.
- COVID Safety Plan Compliance grant of $350 available

Tasman Council
- No penalties, interest, charges or debt collection for late rates payments until 30 June 2020.
- Zero % increase of the general rates, services charges and fees and charges for 2020/21
- Adoption of a Financial Hardship Policy

Waratah Wynyard Council
- Payment arrangements for rates and charges with the potential for postponement for 3-12 months in extenuating circumstances.
- The ability for customers to apply to the General Manager to waive fees.
- 0% increase to the general rates and fees and charges schedule in 2020/21;

West Coast Council
- Payment plans for rates and other Council debt for those experiencing hardship
- Potential for remission or postponement of rates

Links for further information:

Break O’Day COVID-19 Information

Brighton Council COVID-19 Information

Burnie Council COVID-19 Support

Devonport Council – Meeting The Challenge of COVID-19

Glamorgan Spring Bay Council Media Release

GSBC Rate Relief For Community Groups

GCC Coronavirus Response – Rolling Updates

Hobart City – Community Grants

Hobart City – COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) Information And Updates

Huon Valley Council – Community Support

City of Launceston – Community Care & Recovery Package

Northern Midlands Council – COVID 19 Community Recovery & Care Package

Tasman Council and Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Waratah Wynward Council – COVID-19

Westcoast Council – COVID-19 Information And Updates

VIC

Baw Baw Shire Council
- Waived winter and annual fees for community sporting clubs including utility services.
- Financial Hardship options available
- Waived annual fee and covering utility service to property charges for other community club tenants who typically pay annual fees.

City of Melbourne
- Assistance for rate payers in the city of Melbourne municipality
- Rent relief for eligible not-for-profit tenants and licensees of City of Melbourne owned and managed properties

City of Greater Bendigo
- Community Group Grants of up to $30,000 for incorporated or not-for-profit groups

City of Stonnington
- Significantly reduced parking enforcement

Banyule City Council
- COVID-19 Community Support Grants of up to $5000 for eligible not-for-profit organisations.

Glen Eira City Council
- COVID-19 Community Action Grants Program providing grants of up to $10,000 for community-based not-for-profit organisations.

Greater Shepparton City Council
- Waive rent/fees for community and sporting groups for Council owned land/grounds in 2020/2021.
- Ground hire fees waived for Council managed outdoor sports facilities (excluding light charges) for 2020/2021.

Moonee Valley City Council
- COVID-19 Recovery Grants of up to $20,000 for community groups and not-for-profit organisations
- Rates hardship payment arrangements or deferral
- Subsidies for regular hirers of community facilities including halls, sports facilities and grounds, libraries and community centres
- Workshops and training available, including a grant writing workshop

Nillumbik Shire Council
- Quick Response Grants up to $500 for not-for-profit organisations and community groups
- Community Training Program offering free workshops aimed at not-for-profit community groups.

Wyndham City Council
- Six month waiver or refund based on a commencement date of 1 March 2020 of applicable fees and charges for community organisations.

Links for further information:

Baw Baw Shire Council COVID-19 Community Support Hub

City of Melbourne – Rates

City of Melbourne – COVID-19 Rent Relief

City of Greater Bendigo – Community Grants

City of Stonnington – Helping Business Navigate COVID-19

Banyule City Council – COVID-19 Community Support Equipment Grants

City of Glen Eira – COVID-19 Community Action Grants Program

Greater Shepparton – Economic Response to COVID-19 Package

City of Moonee Valley – COVID-19 Recovery Grants

City of Moonee Valley – COVID-19 Support

Nillumbik – COVID-19 Quick Response Grants

Nillumbik – COVID-19 Community Support

Wyndham City – WYNLocal Economic Support Package

WA

Albany City Council
- Temporary concessions of up to 100% to rental payments and outgoings for not-for-profit tenancies that have ceased operations due to COVID-19.
- No rate increases in 2020/21
- Reduced interest and payment charges to rates and billing collection
- Flexible payment arrangements

Shire of Ashburton
- COVID-19 Financial Relief Fund for community organisations and local sporting groups
- No rate increases in 2020/21
- No special fees and interest charges
- Flexible payment arrangements
- Rent relief on leases to community groups and clubs

Shire of Augusta
- No rate increases in 2020/21
- Flexible payment plans for those experiencing financial hardship
- Community Care Funding for not-for-profit organisations
- Access to paid video conferencing for community groups

City of Bayswater
- Financial Hardship Policy offering flexible payment options and waived/suspended interest

City of Belmont
- No rate increases in 2020/21
- Waiving Rates Penalty Interest for the balance of 2019/20

City of Busselton
- No rate increases in 2020/21

Town of Cambridge
- No average rates, fees, charges or tariff increases for 2020/21
- Waiving interest and late payment interest rate on outstanding rates and service charges from 15 March 2020
- Waiving the fee for special instalment arrangements from 15 March 2020
- Refund of all cancelled bookings at Town-owned properties and facilities
- Deferring payment of Building Maintenance Contributions for the Town’s Sports Clubs and Associations

City of Canning
- Payment plans and deferral of rates for eligible ratepayers
- No rate increase for 2020/21
- No increase in the waste service fee, transfer station fees, or the security charge
- Rental abatements for those renting City owned premises
- Resilience Grant funding of up to $5,000 for not-for-profit organisations

City of Cockburn
- No rate increase for 2020/21
- Freezing of all City determined fees and charges
- Rent relief for tenants of City owned or controlled premises
- Eliminating instalment and penalty interest on rates as well as other associated fees and charges

Shire of Dardanup
- No rates and fees increases for 2020/21
- Paying the building insurance on all community leased buildings owned by Council

Shire of Donnybrook Balingup
- Waiving fees and charges
- Waiving facility lease payments for community and sporting groups in Shire facilities.
- Defer payment of self-supporting loans (to community groups) during 2020.
- No rates increase for 2020/21
- Payment arrangements and waiving of interest charges for eligible ratepayers.

Town of East Freemantle
- Refund all cancelled bookings
- Suspension of lease payments and fees and charges on Town-owned buildings for the next three months
- No rates or fees and charges increase for 2020/21

Shire of East Pilbara
- No rates increase for 2020/21
- 5% refund on rates for eligible ratepayers on application
- Waiving fees associated with rates instalment payments for eligible ratepayers
- Waiving penalty interest on 2020/21 rates for eligible ratepayers
- COVID-19 Recovery Grants Program for not-for-profits, opening in 2020/21
- Refund on cancelled bookings at Shire owned facilities

Shire of Esperance
- No rates increase for 2020/21
- Rates payment arrangements available

City of Freemantle
- The City will allow tenants to postpone rental payments for a period of 180 days. No interest will be applied to the outstanding arrears.
- A full refund on all cancelled bookings of City facilities
- Assisting community groups apply for COVID-19 grants and support from the Federal and State Government

City of Gosnells
- No rates increase for 2020/21
- Maintaining or decreasing 2020/21 fees and charges
- Waiving penalty interest on overdue rates
- Refund for cancelled bookings at City facilities
Shire of Harvey
- Payment arrangements and deferral of rates available for eligible ratepayers suffering financial hardship.

Shire of Jerramungp
- Payment plans, extension of time to pay and suspension of interest charges and administration fees for eligible ratepayers suffering financial hardship.

City of Joondalup
- No rates or charges increase for 2020/21

City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder
- Payment plans, extension of time to pay and suspension of interest charges and administration fees for eligible ratepayers suffering financial hardship.

City of Karratha Council
- No rates or existing City fees and charges increase for 2020/21
- Providing grants of up to $25,000 per community group or organisation through the COVID-19 Community Group Assistance Fund
- Providing $1,000 grants to eligible community-run sporting and arts and cultural groups

City of Mandurah
- No rates, fees and charges increase for 2020/21
- Reduction in some special area fees
- Sporting clubs and groups facility fees waived during closures

Shire of Manjimup
- No rates, fees and charges increase for 2020/21

City of Melville
- $200 rates concession for improved properties and $165 for unimproved properties
- No rates, fees and charges increase for 2020/21
- One-off grants up to $3,000 for eligible creative organisations
- Removal of administration fees and reducing penalty interest on flexible payment of rates

Shire of Mingenew
- No rates increase for 2020/21
- Waiving venue and equipment hire fees for sporting clubs, community groups and not for profits

Shire of Morawa
- No rates increase for 2020/21
- Flexible payment plans for eligible ratepayers

Town of Mosman Park
- Refunding all deposits and fees for cancelled bookings for Town facilities and reserves due to COVID-19.
- No rates increase for 2020/21
Shire of Mundaring
- No rates increase for 2020/21
- Waiving lease payments for community groups which lease Shire facilities for six months.
- Cease penalty interest charges on outstanding rates for six months.
- Financial hardship policy for eligible ratepayers
- Covid-19 Relief and Recovery Fund grants

Shire of Murray
- No rates, fees and charges increase for 2020/21
- Deferred payment plans and interest waivers available
- Full refunds on cancelled bookings at Shire properties and facilities

Shire of Nannup
- No rates, fees and charges increase for 2020/21
- Flexible payment plans available

City of Nedlands
- No rates increase for 2020/21
- No rent charges for not-for-profit groups using City-owned properties
- Six months interest free payment deferment for rates and service charges available
- Refunds on cancelled bookings of City facilities

Shire of Northampton
- Waiving interest penalty on outstanding rates and charges
- Payment arrangements available

Perth City Council
- Arts grants and sponsorship
- Arts and Culture Quick Response Grants up to $5,000
- Events and Activation Quick Response Grants up to $5,000
- Community Wellbeing Grants up to $20,000
- Concession rates for heritage listed properties within the city for eligible applicants
- Precinct Development Grants for incorporated associations established for the purpose of promoting the interests of a local community
- Venue Support Grants up to $7,500 for eligible groups via waiving venue and reserve hire fees

Town of Port Hedland
- COVID-19 Assistance Grants of up to $10,000 for eligible not-for-profit organisations
- No rates and Town fees and charges increase for 2020/21
- Refunds on cancelled bookings of Town facilities due to COVID-19

City of Rockingham
- No rates, fees and charges increase for 2020/21
- Doubling the Energy Assistance Payment in 2020/2021 to $610
- Emergency Relief Fund Community Grants of up to $15,000 for not-for-profits

City of South Perth
- Waiver of lease and licence charges for clubs and community organisations
- Refunds for cancelled bookings in City controlled properties and facilities
- Financial hardship assistance available
- No rates or City fees and charges increase for 2020/21

City of Stirling
- No rates increase for 2020/21
- Waiver interest, instalment and arrangement fees
- Flexible payment options
- Community group assistance fund
- Reduction in facility hire fees for community groups
- Sporting clubs and grants programs
- Waiver of rates charges for sporting clubs
- Waiver of ground fees and floodlight charges
- Financial counselling service for sporting clubs
- Community Creativity Fund grants of up to $10,000 for incorporated organisations
- Community Groups Assistance Fund grants of up to $10,000 for not-for-profits

City of Subiaco
- No rates increase for 2020/21
- Financial hardship assistance available

Town of Victoria Park
- No rates or fees and charges increase for 2020/21
- Waiving interest on outstanding rates for 2019/20
- Waiving cancellation fees, late fees and suspended membership fees
- Waiving rent for not-for-profits and sporting clubs leasing Town property

City of Vincent
- No rates and fees and charges increase for 2020/21
- Waiving interest on all outstanding rates and a suspension of new debt collection activities.
- Refunding all cancelled bookings at City-owned properties or facilities.

City of Wanneroo
- No rates and fees and charges increase for 2020/21
- Suspending late payment interest from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2020
- Financial Hardship policy developed
- Providing free access to Sports Community, an online resource service for sports clubs and volunteers.