Douglas Shire Council has endorsed a range of financial relief measures including rates assistance to support ratepayers who have been impacted by Cyclone Jasper and the subsequent flooding disaster event.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said that Cyclone Jasper and the associated flooding have caused significant hardship for our community, particularly within the tourism sector.
“We understand the challenges our residents and businesses are facing, and we are committed to providing support during this difficult time,” Mayor Kerr said.
“These financial relief measures aim to alleviate some of the burdens our residents and businesses are facing in the wake of this unprecedented event.”
Councillor Abigail Noli was also pleased with the measures.
“The financial relief offered is a gesture of goodwill and an appreciation of the hardship and effect that Cyclone Jasper and the floods afterwards have had on the communities of Douglas,” Cr Noli said.
The financial relief measures for the year ending June 30, 2024, include:
- Promote the Rates Financial Hardship Policy and provide assistance to affected ratepayers in completing the application for assistance.
- Waived rates dishonour admin fees from 11 December 2023 to 31 January 2024 for Douglas Shire residential ratepayers.
- Defer issue of Rates notices from 16 January 2024 to 31st January 2024.
- Refund all venue hire fees, caravan park fees and ferry travel where cancellation is due to Cyclone Jasper flood disaster event for the period of 11 December 2023 to 31 January 2024.
- Rent relief – may be provided, on request, for Council commercial tenants suffering financial stress or hardship due to the effects of Cyclone Jasper flood disaster event, upon provision of sufficient evidence of this hardship (excluding peppercorn leases, Government entities) for the period 11 December 2023 to 10 January 2024.
- Waive special refuse for commercial properties north of Daintree River from 11 December 2023 to 31 March 2024.
- Waive roadside waste collection fees for commercial properties north of Daintree River from 11 December 2023 to 31 March 2024.
Residents and businesses should receive their half-yearly rate notices in the post by early next week.
