Draft Financial Hardship Policy

Introduction

We invited community members to review and make submissions on our draft Financial Hardship Policy.

The updated policy had been developed with input from a community working group (the same group which contributed to the draft Revenue and Rating Strategy), and the findings of a community survey.

The draft policy was a refresh of the current policy. It proposed very little change, and instead concentrated on making the document clearer and more practical to apply.

Proposed changes

As a result of the consultation, there were a number of updates to the existing policy, including a ‘softening’ of the language used, as well as:

• Clearer definition of hardship and financial hardship.
• Clearer explanation of the things that will be considered by Council when assessing applications.
• Clarification that Council prefers that an applicant seeking waivers of rates or interest seeks the assistance of a financial councillor or assistance service. This wording does not require this, however Council’s preference is expressed.
• General wording improvements and clearer policy statements to remove some duplication and confusion in the current policy.

What we heard

The draft strategy was endorsed for public exhibition at the April 2024 Council meeting for a period of nine weeks.

Submissions are currently being collated.