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$1.5 million in rate and water rebates for Orange residents
By staff writer
Around 2,700 of Orange's 16,000 residences will be eligible to receive a rebate for rates and water under council's draft 2022/23 budget.
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The pensioner rebates - at an average of $605 per year - would cost $1.5 million.
"The NSW government provides a compulsory pensioner rebate for every council area in the state," said a council release.
"In Orange this gives pensioners a rates discount worth $1,169,386. The cost of this discount is shared between the state government ($644,522) and Orange City Council ($524,864)."
On top of the compulsory rebate, Orange City Council is among a number of councils that provide an additional rebate. This is worth an extra $479,897 in the draft budget.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the pensioner rebate gets overlooked among the rest of the council’s spending plans, and I’d certainly encourage any pensioner who doesn’t know about it to find out more and apply,” said mayor Jason Hamling.
The mayor described the application process as "straightforward".
Residents only need to apply once, as the form gives the council permission to check eligibility every year after that.
“If people hadn’t heard about this and are applying for the first time, council will also credit them this benefit for the last two years,” said Hamling.
To comment on any aspect of the council draft budget go to YourSay Orange to complete a quick online survey.
The deadline for comments is May 19. The draft budget is on display until the same date.
The Pensioner Rebate Application form can be downloaded here.
Applicants must bring the completed form to the Council office so that their Pensioner Card can be sighted.
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