Dubbo ratepayers may have the option of deferring their upcoming rate payments if the plan is supported by councillors on Tuesday night.
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A financial assistance policy is on the agenda for the Dubbo Regional Council committee meetings.
While usually held on a Monday, the culture, economy and corporate, infrastructure and liveability, and development and environment meetings were changed to Tuesday due to Easter.
In a report on the proposed rates assistance, council's chief financial officer Michael Howlett says many of council's "ratepayers, residents and businesses have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated measures that have been taken by the government to slow down infection levels".
In March, councillors voted to increase rates for the 2020/21 financial year by the 2.6 per cent rate pegging limit.
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To help ratepayers who are financially struggling, Mr Howlett has suggested deferring the rate installments due on May 31 and August 31 until December.
It will be available to ratepayers who can "provide supporting documentation that they are receiving federal government support as a result of COVID-19 or a landlord who has incurred a reduction of 30 per cent or more in rental income as a result of COVID-19".
For those who are approved, the next two rate installments will be postponed. No interest will be charged on the overdue installments.
Council's plan is to set up a payment arrangement to ensure further debt shock is not experienced when both rate installments need to be paid.
While difficult to know the number of ratepayers who will seek the assistance, in the report Mr Howlett said if 20 per cent were successful it would cost council $200,000, which would be funded from the COVID-19 reserve.
Mr Howlett said other financial assistance requests would be assessed separately on a case-by-case basis.
The meeting will also include a proposal for the closure of 10 walkways in Dubbo, comprised of seven in west and another three in east.
Council staff have recommended all 10 be closed following feedback from the public which mostly supported the idea.
Councillors will also look at the Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Response Plan 2020. It is designed to steer council through a drought.
The drought plan is the first for the amalgamated Dubbo and Wellington councils.
The committee meetings will start at 5.30pm on Tuesday. Due to COVID-19 and social distancing restrictions, members of the public will not be able to attend in person.
They will be livestreamed on the Dubbo Regional Council website and Facebook page.
Mayor Ben Shields will be in the council chambers for the meetings while the other councillors will join via teleconference.