“The announcement that many council rates will be lifted will hit pensioners hard”, said Research/Policy Officer, Amelia Christie.

“A number of councils throughout NSW have been approved to raise their rates above the 3.6% peg, a move that will hit pensioners and other home owners on low incomes.

“While all home owners will be hard hit by these increases, it becomes a lot harder when your sole source of income is the Pension.

“While pensioners are eligible for a Local Council Rate Rebate of $250, since this was introduced in 1993, the rebate has lost nearly 60% of its value. Every year, pensioners are receiving less and less assistance to cover their rates.

“An increase to the Council Rate Rebate is long overdue, having been fixed at the same amount for almost 20 years.

“CPSA is calling for the Council Rate Rebate to be set as a percentage of rates so that as rates increase, pensioners will have a proportion of the increase covered”, said Ms Christie.

CPSA represents pensioners of all ages, superannuants and low-income retirees. CPSA has 137 Branches and Affiliated Organisations, with a combined membership of 30,000 people.

Media Contact:
Amelia Christie, Research/Policy Officer
Mobile: 0410 612 182