The City of Coffs Harbour will provide additional financial relief to eligible pensioners in the 2026–27 financial year after councillors approved voluntary rebates on environmental and domestic waste charges.
The council voted at its 18 June meeting to continue a scheme in place since 1997, approving voluntary rebates on the Environmental Special Rate and Domestic Waste Charge for eligible pensioners.
The rebates are in addition to the mandatory concessions available on ordinary rates and water and sewer charges under the Local Government Act 1993.
Mayor Nikki Williams said the additional support would help ease cost-of-living pressures.
“Lingering fuel costs and higher inflation are having an impact nationwide, and these voluntary rebates will mean eligible pensioners can expect to save around $87.50 on the Domestic Waste Charge and $26.75 on the Environmental Special Rate – more than $110 all up,” Williams said.
The voluntary rebates will cost the City about $670,000 in 2026–27 and have been included in the adopted annual budget.
The council said the voluntary rebate does not apply to pensioners with five years of outstanding rates and charges who have not attempted to establish or maintain a suitable payment arrangement.
Under the Local Government Act 1993, NSW councils must provide mandatory rebates on rates and charges for eligible pensioners, with the NSW Government reimbursing councils for 55 per cent of the cost.
Chief Financial Officer Amy Mott said the mandatory rebate would cost the City about $2.4 million before the state subsidy.
“The total cost of the mandatory rebate to the City is around $2.4 million, reducing to around $1.08m after the subsidy payment,” Mott said.
“When you add in the voluntary rebates, the total bottom line cost to the City is around $1.75m.”
The council has also adopted its rates and annual charges for 2026–27.
Ordinary rates will increase by 3.7 per cent, made up of the 3.1 per cent rate peg and a 0.6 per cent population growth factor approved by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.
Williams said the revenue would support council services and long-term financial sustainability.
“Rates and charges help to fund the projects and services in the 2026-27 Operational Plan as well as contributing to the long-term financial sustainability of the City,” Williams said.
Advertising with North Coast Times is a cost effective and reliable way to reach locals who are interested and engaged. Find out more here.