The Darwin City Council has ramped up economic support for residents and businesses most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through a $4 million budget allocation in the 2020-2021 Draft Budget.

Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the Council’s expanded hardship policy includes the suspension of parking fees, deferral of rates without penalty, and waiving of fees and charges to support local businesses – for outdoor dining and advertising – all until to June 30, 2020.

 “The expanded Hardship Policy aims to provide wide-ranging support for residential and commercial property owners in the Darwin municipality,” Mr Vatskalis said.

Ratepayers that qualify for the extended hardship policy will be entitled to get support for owner occupied, rental residential property, and commercial property.

There will also be a partial rates relief in the form of a grant for those who have already paid rates.

The hardship policy will also include waiving of interest and cessation of recovery action by council, when a ratepayer enters into and maintains a payment arrangement.

It will also cover concessions to rate properties used for community purposes and a waiver on interest charges during an emergency.