Douglas Shire Council has extended the interest grace period to 30 days for rates due on Thursday 26 August 2021.

The usual grace period is 8 days however this has been extended to 30 days. This means once the 30 days grace period is finished, interest will begin to accrue.

Ratepayers who pay their latest rates notice before 26 September 2021 won’t be charged interest.

“If you are finding it difficult at the moment, by all means, it’s so important that you contact staff and work out a payment plan,” Douglas Shire Council Mayor Michael Kerr said at Tuesday’s ordinary council meeting.

With rates originally due on the 26th August, Deputy Mayor Lisa Scomazzon suggested that this should’ve been addressed earlier.

It’s a shame we didn’t bring this to a previous meeting because most people would’ve paid their rates already. It’s bad timing, maybe next year,” Cr Scomazzon said.

According to a statement from Council, this is designed to provide a small relief to ratepayers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and Council asks that residents please call the Customer Service officers on (07) 4099 9444 to organise a payment arrangement.

More information about hardship can be found on Douglas Shire Council’s website.