Download COOLAMON SHIRE COUNCIL ASBESTOS POCILY

COOLAMON SHIRE COUNCIL
PENSIONER REBATES FOR RATES AND
CHARGES POLICY
OBJECTIVE
To provide to an eligible pensioner (as defined by the Local Government Act 1993) who
satisfies the criteria, qualifies for a concession upon rates and charges in accordance with
Section 575 of the Local Government Act 1993.
2.
2.1
DEFINITION
Eligible Pensioners
A person who receives a pension, benefit or allowance under Chapter 2 of the Social
Security Act 1991, or a Service Pension under Part 3 of the Veterans Entitlements Act
1986 and who hold a Pensioner Concession Card issued by or on behalf of the
Commonwealth Government.
2.2
War Widows and Widowers
Persons who receive a pension from the Department of Veterans' Affairs as:
 A widow or widower of a Defence or Peacekeeping Force member.
 An partner of a deceased unmarried Defence or Peacekeeping Force member.
 A widowed mother of a deceased Defence or Peacekeeping Force member.
 Totally Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) Veterans receiving a special rate of
pension under Section 24 of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.
 PTEC Holders entitled to full treatment benefits as:
 WWI Veteran
 Former Prisoners of War including Australian Merchant Mariners
 100% Disability Rate Pensioners
 Extreme Disablement Adjustment Pensioners
 Intermediate Rate Pensioners
 Special Rate (T & P) Pensioners
 WWII Veterans receiving a Disability pension at or above 50% of the general
rate plus any Service Pension.
 Veterans with service-related amputations or loss of vision in one eye who
receive a Disability Pension.
 Any Australian Veteran who satisfies the Service Pension Fringe Benefits
Test and has any other condition for which the Department has accepted
responsibility for treatment.
 Veterans who receive a Service Pension with fringe benefits who have had
an injury or disease accepted by a relevant authority of another country as
"service related".
 Veterans who were receiving a pension for pulmonary tuberculosis before 2
November, 1978.
 WWII female Veterans with qualifying service.
3.
3.1
PROVISIONS
Applications for Rate Rebates must be made during the year the rate is levied.
COOLAMON SHIRE COUNCIL
ADM.04.02_PENSIONER REBATES AND CHARGES POLICY
3.2
3.3
Retrospective concessions shall be granted for the current financial year only as it is
the sole responsibility of the eligible Pensioner to apply for the concession upon
receipt of their Concession Card. Council clearly displays on the reverse side of its
Annual Rate Notice that concessions are available to eligible Pensioners.
Under normal circumstances if a Ratepayer's eligibility as a Pensioner ceases, then,
in accordance with Section 582 of the Local Government Act 1993, the rebate is
reversed for the number of full installment periods remaining thereafter.
However, Council will not write back a rebate under Section 584 on the death of an
eligible Pensioner where Council is provided with evidence that the property will
subsequently devise to a relative of the deceased who is an eligible pensioner.
In this way the devisee is responsible for the payment of the rates is not denied the
benefit of the concession during the interim period between the original owners
death and the actual transmission of the property.
4.
LIFE INTEREST IN A PROPERTY
As provided by Section 577 of the Local Government Act, Council will grant a rate concession
where an eligible pensioner, not the owner of the property, has a life interest in the property
and is responsible for payment of rates.
5.
RESPONSIBILITY/ACCOUNTABILITY
The processing of all applications will be the responsibility of the Corporate & Community
Services Division.
REVIEW
This policy may be reviewed at any time or as required in the event of legislative changes.
Unless otherwise required the policy will be reviewed at least once during a term of Council.
Version 4 Adopted: Council Meeting held 15th August 2013 (Minute No 201/08/2013)
Version 3 Re-Adopted: Council Meeting held 19 March 2009 (Minute No.64/03/2009)
Version 3 Adopted: Council Meeting held 13 December 2007 (Minute No. 398/12/2007)
Version 2 Adopted: Council Meeting held 17 August 2006 (Minute No. 249/8/2006)
Version 1 Adopted: Council Meeting held 28 October 2004 (Minute No 365/10/2004)
Coolamon Shire Council
Pensioner Rebates for Rates and Charges Policy
2