Douglas Shire Council invites pensioner ratepayers who are not currently receiving a rate subsidy from the State Government on their half yearly rate notice to lodge an application for the rate subsidy with Douglas Shire Council.
Approved pensioners who are owner-occupiers or life tenant under a valid will and meet all other eligibility requirements, may be entitled to a 20% State Government subsidy on rates and charges levied by Council up to a maximum of $200 per annum.
Pensioners who qualify for the rate subsidy are those who:
- Hold a valid Queensland Pensioner Concession Card or a Queensland Repatriation Health Card – For all Conditions (Gold Card) issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; and
- Are the owner/s or life tenant (either solely or jointly) of the property within the boundaries of the Douglas Shire Council and such property is their principal place of residence
Pensioners deemed eligible for the State Government subsidy may also be entitled to the Council Pensioner Remission of 40% of the General Rate up to a maximum amount of $1,350 per annum. In cases of co-ownership, the Council Pensioner Remission will only apply if all owners meet all of the eligibility requirements at the commencement of the rating period.
- Details of the Douglas Shire Council Pensioner Remission can be found as part of the Revenue Statement.
- Details of the State Government subsidy can be found at here.
Applications for the rating period 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023 close on 30 June 2023.
Only new applicants or those whose circumstances have changed need apply. All applications for the pensioner rate subsidy/remission must be in writing on the prescribed Pensioner Rate Subsidy/Remission application form and be lodged at any Council office.
Please note when applying for the rate subsidy/remission, applications are to be submitted with a copy of the relevant pension card (front and back) for all applicants.