Rates notices on the way
The Cassowary Coast Regional Council will issue the first half-yearly rates notices for 2009 today (Friday 28th August).
Cassowary Coast Mayor, Bill Shannon, said the council’s new General Rate Structure and Pensioner Remission Policy incorporated most of the recommendations made by a Community Rating Reference Group established earlier this year.
“We wanted to ensure that community representatives in the Cassowary Coast region received the opportunity to provide input into the development of the new rating system for the region,” Cr. Shannon said.
“The Community Rating Reference Group, established earlier this year, helped the council to integrate the two different rating systems operated by the former Johnstone and Cardwell Shires prior to amalgamation. Their assistance was invaluable.”
Under the new rating system, the council has integrated a number of the rating categories from the former shires to create a new (reduced) total of 24 categories. Changes have been made to the following categories: residential, multi-unit, commercial, industrial and “other”.
The council has retained the 15 percent discount on general rates for early payment, if all rates and charges are paid by the due date. The pension concession (maximum $300 per annum) has also been retained.
“The council has raised rates and charges, in order to help fund the maintenance and renewal of infrastructure required to provide essential services to residents in this region,” Cr. Shannon said.
“The majority of rate payers will be affected by increases in rates and charges, with an average increase of between six and nine percent.”
Cr. Shannon advised rate payers experiencing financial hardship to contact the council to see if they were eligible to arrange for the payment of their rates over a period of time.