Community Support package

DELIVERING SUPPORT + RELIEF IN THE COVID-19 CRISIS


ACTION SINGLETON COUNCIL IS TAKING NOW TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY | DELIVERING SUPPORT AND RELIEF IN THE COVID-19 CRISIS

RATES + CHARGES REBATE SCHEME


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If you're a residential, business or farmland ratepayer in the Singleton LGA and have been adversely financially impacted by COVID-19, you are eligible to apply for Council's Rates and Charges Rebate Scheme.

The rebate scheme is a centrepiece of Council's COVID-19 Community Support Package, providing tangible assistance as residents, businesses and community organisations to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

The rebate applies to rates, waste and fixed water and sewer costs to bridge the gap between 2019/2020 and 2020/2021, so that no one adversely financially impacted by COVID-19 will pay one cent more this year than they did last year.

It's quick and easy to apply and completely confidential. Click on the link below to download the form. Simply fill the form in digitally and click submit to e-mail it back to us. If you have an online services account with us, log in and complete your form via the portal.


Click here to download the form

COMMUNITY SUPPORT PACKAGE KEY INCLUSIONS


Click here to download the fact sheet

Singleton Council has committed more than $2 million to a suite of measures to support the community as a result of the impacts of COVID-19.

  •  $500,000 for social and economic programs in partnership with Singleton Interagency Network and Singleton Business Chamber to provide emergency relief and targeted support to community services and emergency relief agencies including assisting with support for ongoing expenditure to enable provision of support to the most vulnerable in our community. Longer-term strategies include community rebuild grants funding and the Spend In Singleton Program to support local business.
  • $449,000 absorbed by Council to cover additional compliance costs at the Waste Management Facility.
  • $1,036,000 for rebate scheme for proposed 2020-21 increases in rates, waste and water and sewer fixed charges. The rebates would be available to all residential, business and farmland property owners financially affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The rebate program will be designed to make it easy to qualify, easy to apply and easy for our staff to administer.
  • Review of Council’s Hardship Policy to ensure greater flexibility to enable proposed rebates of increases in rates for residential (all sub-categories), farming and business categories who have had direct loss of income related to the COVID-19 crisis. The Policy will also include business ratepayers so they are covered for other aspects of the policy.
  • Community and Business Relief and Rebuild Grant Fund -In addition to Council’s commitment of $100,000, BHP Vital Resources Funding has awarded $100,000 to Singleton Council to support the relief and rebuild campaign.  Eligible businesses and community organisations can apply for grants from $2,000 to $10,000 to support projects that aid the relief and rebuild of Singleton LGA. Click her for more information.
  • Deferral of the fourth rate instalment from 31 May 2020 to 31 August 2020.
  • Extension of the due date on payment of water and sewer bills that are to be issued in May 2020.
  • Suspension of interest being raised on overdue rates and charges and water usage accounts until 30 June 2020. Upon the adoption of the draft 2020-21 Operational Plan, this extension will be extended until 31 August 2020.
  • Suspension of debt recovery action on outstanding rates and charges as set out in Council’s adopted Debt Recovery Policy until after 31 August 2020.
  • 2019/2020 household Waste Vouchers extended until at least 31 October 2020 to be further reviewed in relation to the COVID-19 situation.
  • Cancellation fees for Colleen Gale Children’s Services waived to support families to make the best decision for their needs in response to COVID-19
  • Review of all Council fees and charges to seek opportunities for further relief for residents and businesses, with announcements to be made when information is available.
  • Review of Council’s Procurement Policy to seek opportunities to provide greater support for local suppliers to promote economic stimulus.
  • Rent relief for tenants of Council-owned buildings to provide cash-flow relief for small businesses and other organisations operating in these premises.
  • Expanded delivery of services to be developed on an ongoing and as-needed basis in keeping with the changing situation. Announcements will be made as information is available.
  • Alternative and innovative provision of remote service delivery, including Library and Youth services to continue to promote a socially connected community.

Council is actively pursuing further funding from government and the private sector to increase the funding available for the Community Support Package.