Concessions & Hardship Assistance
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)
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 2024/25 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)
