Financial help for hardship during pandemic

The City of Cockburn is providing residents, community groups and businesses facing hardship with a range of financial assistance measures, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residents and community groups

• The deferment of rate payments for three months or the ability to enter into a more generous payment arrangement 
• Removal of penalty interest and other charges on rates until 30 June
• Defer repayments of existing debts for three months for community based debtors
• More affordable payment options for Naval Base shack lessees 
• Full refund on all cancelled bookings and events at City facilities
• Sporting Clubs COVID Support Package - Stage 1: assistance paying ongoing costs to ensure clubs remain financially viable 
• Delay on final notices and referrals to Fines Enforcement Registry for issued infringements until 30 June, and
• A more lenient approach from the City with infringements. Cautions will be issued where appropriate.

Business 

• The deferment of rate payments for three months or the ability to enter into a more generous payment arrangement
• Compassionate payment options for commercial based debtors
• The ability for tenants of City owned or controlled premises to suspend/defer up to 100 per cent of their rent payments (not including outgoings) for an initial three month period to 30 June, and
• Paying suppliers 15 days from the date of invoice.

Your rates in 2020/21
The City is preparing the draft Municipal budget 2020/21 for Council consideration and has requested the Local Government Minister defer the Gross Rental value (GRV) revaluation to apply for 2020/21 to ensure a zero rate increase for all properties.
    
Proposed Budget measures to be considered by Council at the 9 April Ordinary Council Meeting include:

1. Removing interest and other fees and charges on rates, and
2. Removing the mandatory waste service levy from commercial/industrial properties not currently utilising the City’s service.

Please stay up to date on the City's dedicated COVID-19 webpage.