Rodney Stevens

Flood survivors in the Clarence Valley will get their 2022/23 council rates paid by the NSW Government through a $40 million rate relief package to ease the cost of living during their recovery.

Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis said the rates relief initiative proved the Nationals in NSW Government remained fully focused on flood recovery and had acted on concerns about procedures for getting help.

Mr Gulaptis said the ratepayers who made a successful claim through Service NSW, or whose property has been assessed as damaged, will have their 2022/23 rates waived.

“Flood recovery will continue until everyone has been looked after and until the region is better prepared for the next disaster,” he said. 

“Everybody matters.

“Importantly, residents do not even need to apply for this rates relief, the NSW Government will sort it out directly with respective councils.”

Mr Gulaptis said Service NSW will provide a list of impacted properties to councils, which will then provide the rates information for those properties to Service NSW.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the funding would cover Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed local government areas.

“Northern Rivers residents have been to hell and back, and receiving a rates notice for a home or business they still can barely access is the absolute last thing they need,” he said.

“This rates relief is one less thing they need to worry about as they continue to rebuild their lives – and we’ll continue to stand by their side on that journey in the months and years ahead.”

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the NSW and Commonwealth governments have committed more than $3.5 billion for the clean-up and recovery effort, including a $120 million Local Council Support Package.

“The NSW Government will contact eligible ratepayers in the affected LGAs to inform them it will be paying their rates for next year on their behalf,” Ms Cooke said.

“The funding will be provided through Service NSW and the payments will be made directly to councils to ensure eligible ratepayers receive the relief automatically, without having to worry about red tape.”

Mr Gulaptis said if a ratepayer believes they are eligible and have not received relief then they should apply to the Flood Property Assessment Program administered by Service NSW https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/register-flood-property-assessment-program.