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On 13 December 2006, the Australian government announced that the south western region of Victoria was experiencing Exception Circumstances (EC).
This announcement enables farmers to apply for Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payments through Centrelink. As a consequence farmers in the City of Ballarat who qualify for EC Relief Payments will also be eligible for the Victorian Government's municipal rate subsidy under the Drought Relief Program.
Who should apply
Farmers living in areas which have been declared as 'exceptional circumstances', and who are having difficulty meeting family and personal living expenses. Those living within the City of Ballarat municipality have been declared as 'exceptional circumstances' by the Australian Government.
How to apply
Claiming the 50% reduction in rates is a two step process as follows:
- Contact Centrelink to apply for the Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment. To apply visit Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment (Centrelink website) or phone Centrelink on 132 316. You need to request an EC certificate from Centrelink by calling the Drought Assistance Hotline 13 2316. You should make this request as soon as possible to ensure you receive the maximum backdated payment that may be available to you.
You can then complete the Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment claim forms (along with other relevant documentation to allow Centrelink to assess your eligibility) and return them to your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre. Please note that Centrelink has advised that applications are currently taking approximately 6 weeks to process. - Ratepayers who have been assessed by Centrelink to be eligible for EC Relief Payments will be able to apply to receive a 50% concession on their rates under the State Government's drought relief program.
To claim the concession, ratepayers will need to complete an Exceptional Circumstances Application Form (24KB) and provide a copy of their current Centrelink Income Statement form. Application must be made from within 90 days from the date Centrelink EC Relief Payments cease.
The concession is not applicable to any arrears or late payment interest carried over from earlier years and will only apply to 2006-2007 and any subsequent years where Centrelink EC Relief Payments continue to be received.
More Information & Contact Details
If you have other questions concerning this concession please contact Customer Service by phone 03 5320 5500 or email ballcity@ballarat.vic.gov.au, or contact the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Customer Service Centre by phone 136 186 or visit the DPI website www.dpi.vic.gov.au/raterelief.