Concessions

General Rate & Utility Charges Concession

Council will consider providing assistance to not-for-profit and charitable community organisations using the rate exemption provision under section 93(3)(i) of the Local Government Act 2009.

Any rate concession granted under the Townsville City Council Charitable and Community Organisations General Rates & Utility Charges Concessions Policy will be limited to the conditions set out and will apply to community and not-for-profit organisations that meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the policy.

Applications for concession must:

• be lodged in writing on the prescribed form, and submitted to Townsville City Council;
• include a copy of the Constitution or Memo and Articles of Association of the organisation which must clearly detail that the organisation is not-for-profit;
• include any other supporting documentation such as Taxation Exemption certificate which confirms that the organisation is not-for-profit; and identify the principle use of the land for which the concession is being requested.

Any decisions regarding the outcome of the application will be made within 45 days of receipt of the application. Additional evidence to support the application may be requested in some circumstances. Decisions regarding the outcome of the application will be advised to the owner/applicant in writing.

Once approved, the concession will be granted until such time as the ownership of the land transfers, the use of the land changes or Council resolves to amend the Townsville City Council Charitable and Community Organisations General Rates & Utility Charges Concessions Policy and/or associated eligibility criteria as set out in the Concessions Schedule.

Alternatively, you can download a hardcopy of the application form (PDF, 31.7 KB)

First Home Buyer Incentive

The First Home Buyers Incentive is a Townsville City Council initiative offering first home buyers’ up to $1,000 off their rates bill at their new property.

To be eligible for this incentive the property must be a first home purchase; be the owners primary place of residence; and the home and land must be valued at less than $450,000.

Eligibility

Eligible First Home Buyers will receive up to $1,000 off their first year's rates for:

• New and existing homes in the Townsville Local Government area where the contract for construction or sale is signed after 1 July 2020;
• This discount is per new home - not to each of the applicants for the same home;
• Home and land must be valued at less than $450,000;
• Must occupy home for a continuous period of six months prior to 1 July 2024; and
• Property must have no arrears at the time of application.

What you must supply

1. A copy of your Queensland Government First Homeowner’s Grant application and approval; or
2. A fully completed copy of the signed Form OSR D2.1 noting all owners as first homeowners and available from your solicitor or conveyancing officer; or
3. Any documentation showing the property was exempt from stamp duty.

How to apply

Complete the First Home Buyers application form

Return the completed application form and applicable documents to Council via email, in person or mail as detailed on the form.

If have any questions, please contact Council on 13 48 10.

First Home Buyers Concession Policy

To encourage the economic development of Townsville the Council will provide a concession to first home buyers by way of a rebate of general rates.

The concession is available commencing from 1 July 2023, ending on the earlier of:

• 30 June 2024; or
• the time that the budget allocation for this concession is fully allocated.

The Policy can be found on page 102-103 of the 2023/24 Budget and Operational Plan.

Hardship Concession

Townsville City Council recognises the need to support its residents more than ever in light of recent disasters. Council also understands financial hardship is not just isolated to disasters such as floods and cyclones. That is why the Hardship Concession Policy 2023/24 has been created, easing financial burdens on a range of circumstances that can cause financial difficulties.

Hardship concession circumstances include, but are not limited to:

• Loss of employment of the landowner or family member;
• Family breakdown, including domestic violence;
• Physical and mental health issues, including illness, physical incapacity, hospitalisation, or mental illness of the landowner or landowner’s family member;
• A disaster within the Townsville Local Government Area affecting the landowner or their dependants;
• A death in the family of the landowner; or
• Other factors resulting in unforeseen change in the landowner’s capacity to meet their payment obligations, whether through a reduction in income or through an increase in non-discretionary expenditure.

The following types of concessions will be provided:

• a 3-month (interest-free) deferral of the due date (and discount date) for the rates or charges; or
• a 12-month interest free payment plan which will see all overdue and upcoming rates paid within that timeframe.

If any ratepayers have been severely impacted by hardship circumstances, and experiencing financial hardship, please fill out the below online form or contact Council to discuss individual payment plans on 13 48 10.

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the Hardship Concession, please fill out the below online form.

If you are unable to fill out the online form please download and complete the PDF form, if have any questions please contact Council on 13 48 10.

Pensioner Concession

You may be eligible for the Townsville City Council Pensioner Concession if:

• You are an approved/eligible pensioner;
• The property is your principal place of residence; and
• All rates and charges paid in full by the end of May in the current financial year

Download the Pensioner Concession Application Form - DVA (PDF, 140.5 KB)

Download the Pensioner Concession Application Form - Centrelink (PDF, 138.2 KB)