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

Camden Council

COVID-19 Community Response Grant for incorporated associations and not-for-profit groups of up to $15,000.

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

Camden Council COVID-19 Community Response Grant

Lake Macquarie City Community support

NT

Alice Springs Town Council

Fourth quarter rates payment due date extended to 30 June 2020.
Charging of interest on outstanding rates balances suspended until 30 June 2020
Sports Facility Advisory Committee participation levy waived until 20 June 2020

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 parking in the city area until 30 September 2020 with refund of eligible parking permits available.
Waiving of interest, charges and fees, on application, on unpaid rate amounts until 30 June 2020.
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:

Alice Springs Town Council’s COVID19 information to the community

City of Darwin COVID-19 Response Grants Program Guidelines

City of Palmerton COVID-19 Update

MacDonnell Regional Council COVID-19 Rate Relief

QLD

Banana Shire Council

Waiving interest on overdue rates until June 30 2020

Brisbane City Council

Waiving all charges, rents, levies and permit fees. Rent fees or permits required to be paid will be waived until at least 30 June 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

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

Extended due date for half-year rates payments to 27 May 2020
Extended due date for water usage fees for three months
Financial Hardship Assistance for eligible ratepayers

Cassowary Coast Regional Council

Community Assistance Scheme Grants up to $3,000 for local not forprofit organisations
Debt recovery on hold until 30 June 2020
Refunding fees for events and bookings cancelled due to COVID-19

City of Townsville

Three month extension on any supplementary rates notice received from 23 March 2020 until 30 June 2020.
Payment plans available for eligible ratepayers
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.

Cloncurry Shire Council

Deferral of rates for eligible ratepayers until 31 August 2020

Fraser Coast Regional Council

Extending the due date for the current rates notice until 30 June 2020
Grantsof 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

Gladstone Regional Council

Freezing interest on outstanding rates and charges
Financial support for sporting and community organisations.

City of Gold Coast

Waiving fees for any bookings of a Council facility, venue or park between 1 February and 30 June that had to cancel due to COVID-19.
Waiving interest payments for eligible ratepayers who enter affordable repayment agreements.

Nil interest, or reduced interest rate, charged on unpaid water charges, waste water charges, waste charges and rates for eligible ratepayers.

Gympie Regional Council

Rates early payment discount due date extended to 9 July 2020
Interest will then be applied to rates arrears from 9 September 2020
Fees and charges may also be amended, reduced or waived where it is considered a necessary and appropriate response to the COVID-19 situation

Isaac Region

Special Emergency Community Grants of $5,000 for community, cultural and sporting organisations.

Logan City Council

Extended interest free period for current quarter rates and charges to 30 September
Debt recovery measures suspended
Amended terms for interest accrual
Hardship arrangements available for ratepayers

Maranoa Regional Council

Rates discount period has been extended to 5 May 2020
Refunding fees and charges already paid for the booking of Council facilities during the months of March, April and May

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

Moreton Bay Regional Council

COVID-19 Community Organisation Hardship and Assistance Grants of up to $10,000 for community organisations experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19

Mount Isa Council

Deferring interest charges for outstanding property and water rates for three months, from March 30, 2020 until June 30, 2020.
No financial penalty for rates paid before 30 June 2020

Redland City Council

COVID-19 Community Organisation Support Grant of up to $10,000 for eligible local community organisations.
$2 million assistance package which includes doubling the amount of time to pay next rates bill and reduced red tape for community groups,

Rockhampton Regional Council

No interest on outstanding rates
Lease fee refunds for eligible sporting and community groups

Sunshine Coast Council

COVID-19 Community Response Grants of up to $10,000 to assist impacted community organisations
No interest charged on overdue accounts up to 30 June 2020
Flexible payment arrangements available for eligible ratepayers

Toowoomba Region Council

Extending the water rates discount period from 12 May to 23 June 2020
Waiving interest on overdue rates and charges calculated at 30 June 2020
Providing community groups, including sporting organisations, with grants ofup to $499.

Townsville City Council

Providing ratepayers an additional three month extension on supplementary rates notice from 23 March 2020 to 30 June 2020
Free parking in the CBD until 30 June 2020
Refund of hiring and other fees associated with the proposed use of any Townsville City Council venue that is unable to proceed because of COVID-19 control measures.

Western Downs Regional Council

Community Hardship & Assistance Financial grants ofup to $10,000 for eligible community organisations
Community infrastructure grant funding of up to $200,000 foreligible not for profit community groups or sporting groups
Extended discount period on all rates to 30 June 2020 and interest relief on overdue rates until 30 September 2020
Extended discount period of all general rates and charges levied by Council rates notices issued on 14 March, until 30 June 2020.
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

Banana Region Information

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

Maranoa COVID-19 Health Alert

Mareeba Shire Council COVID-19 Information

Mount Isa COVID-19 Information

Moreton Bay Regional Council Support & Information

Redland City Council Support & Information

Rockhampton Region Community 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

Berri 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 Grant up to $10,000 for eligible not-for-profit community organisations

City of Onkaparinga

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 30 June 2020.
COVID-19 Community Wellbeing and Resilience Grant of up to $2,000 for community groups to connect individuals impacted by COVID-19.

City of Port Adelaide Enfield

COVID-19 Response Grants of up to $2,000 for eligible community and cultural organisations.

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
Utilities support of up to $5,000 to help sporting clubs and community organisations significantly impacted by COVID-19 pay their water and electricity bills

Links for further information:

Adelaide COVID-19 Latest Information

Berri Barmera Council Information

Berri Barmera Council Support Grant

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
No penalties, charges, interest or debt collection for late rate payments and extended payment periods until 30 June 2020.
Rent relief on council owned buildings where tenants are experiencing financial hardship until 30 June 2020.

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 winter sports fees for 2020 winter season
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
Late payment of 30 April rates instalment to incur no penalties to 30 June 2020

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
Waiving rental instalments for grassroots community groups and sporting clubs that lease council property until 30 June 2020

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
Resilient Hobart Quick Response Grant up to $1,000 for not-for-profit organisations.

Huon Valley Council

No penalties or interest charges on outstanding rates until 30 June 2020
Potential rent relief on Council-owned buildings where lessees are experiencing financial hardship until 30 June 2020
Zero % increase of the general rates for 2020/21
Payment arrangements for eligible ratepayers experiencing difficulty
Quick Response Community Grants up to $1,000 for Not-for-profit community groups.

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.
No interest on late payment of rates from 1 April 2020 to 30 September 2020.
Sporting groups that hire or lease council recreation facilities will be provided a lease suspension from 1 April 2020 to 30 September 2020.
Lease accounts outstanding from Sporting groups as at 1 April 2020 will not be due until 30 September 2020.

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

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

Extension of payment terms for fourth instalment of rates to 30 June 2020.
Waived winter and annual fees for community sporting clubs including utility services.
Waived annual fee and covering utility service to property charges for other community club tenants who typically pay annual fees.

City of Melbourne

Community Response Grants of up to $10,000 for not-for-profit and community groups to fund innovative ideas that foster community connection and support vulnerable people.
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

COVID-19 Community Group Essentials Grant of up to $10,000 for incorporated or not-for-profit groups

City of Stonnington

Significantly reduced parking enforcement
No parking fees at selected Council carparks until 30 September 2020

Banyule City Council

COVID-19 Community Support Equipment Grants of up to $2,500 for 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 from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020.
Reduction in rent by 50% for tenants of Council owned buildings or facilities from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020

Moonee Valley City Council

COVID-19 Recovery Grants of up to $5,000 for community groups and not-for-profit organisations
Subsidies for regular hirers of community facilities including halls, sports facilities and grounds, libraries and community centres.

Nillumbik Shire Council

COVID-19 Quick Response Grants up to $5,000 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 – Coronavirus Response Community Grants

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 group.
No rate increases in 2020/21
No special fees and interest charges
Deferring rates notices until November
Flexible payment arrangements
Rent relief on leases to community groups and clubs

Shire of Augusta

No rate increases in 2020/21
Waiving non-regulatory Shire fees and charges until 30 June 2020
Waiving penalty interest charged on outstanding rates until 30 June 2020
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

Waived rental payments until 30 September 2020 for Community groups, clubs and organisations that lease City buildings.
Waiving interest on late rates payments until 30 June 2020

City of Belmont

No rate increases in 2020/21
Waiving Rates Penalty Interest for the balance of 2019/20
Waiving rent charges on Council leased properties from 31 March 2020 to 30 September 2020.

City of Busselton

Deferring interest or fees and charges on overdue rates from April to June 2020.
Waiving of lease costs, rent and/or outgoings for community organisations required to close/cease operating until 30 June 2020.
Deferring payments to community groups that have a self-supporting loan with the Council until 30 June 2020.

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
Deferring the due date for payment of outstanding rates to 30 June 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
Waiving winter seasonal Reserve Hire fees 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
Delay of the first quarterly rates instalment due date to November 2020
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 $2,500 for not-for-profit organisations

City of Cockburn

No rate increase for 2020/21
Freezing of all City determined fees and charges
Waiving instalment and penalty interest on rates, as well as associated fees and charges until 30 June 2020
Short term hire fee relief/reduction for Sporting Clubs using City facilities
Rent relief for tenants of City owned or controlled premises
COVID-19 grants up to $5,000 for Cockburn based not-for-profit organisations
Deferring rate payments for three months, or payment arrangements
Deferring repayments of existing debts for three months for community based debtors
Refund on all cancelled bookings and events at City facilities

Dardanup Shire Council

No rates and fees increases for 2020/21
Suspending penalty interest on outstanding rates for six months
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
Waiving of all penalty interest, instalment interest and instalment admin charges until 30 June 2020
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
Refund on cancelled bookings at Shire owned facilities

Shire of Esperance

Waiving outstanding rates penalty interest from 1 April until 30 June 2020.
Waiving community lease fees and community fees and charges for 6 months for eligible lessees and groups
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.
Free on-street parking in Fremantle for the next three months
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

Perth City Council

Arts grants and sponsorship
COVID-19 quick response community grants for community projects and services
Community Enhancement Grants up to $15,000 to support organisations build strong, connected and inclusive communities
Community event sponsorship
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