02 6499 2222 council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA) Bega Valley Shire Library Sapphire Aquatic Centre Sapphire Coast Tourism
Have your say

Financial hardship assistance

Having trouble keeping up with your payments? Apply for a payment plan with Council.

Having trouble keeping up with your payments? We understand that sometimes  it can be difficult to meet your financial commitments, including those to Council.

To help you out Council has adopted a Financial Hardship Assistance procedure which allows impacted ratepayers to apply for an interest free hardship payment plan. If you don't meet the criteria, you can still apply for an extended payment arrangement, although it still accrues interest. Details for both options can be found below.

Applying for a hardship assistance payment plan - interest free

We understand that meeting financial commitments during tough times can be challenging. If you are facing financial difficulties and are unable to pay your outstanding rates, water charges and sundry debtors, you can apply for a hardship assistance payment plan with Council.

To apply, you need to fill out a form that requires supporting evidence of the impact of the drought, bushfires, and/or COVID-19 on your ability to make payments. If your application meets the eligibility criteria, you will be granted an interest-free payment plan with Council.

Setting up an extended payment arrangement - interest accrues

  • If you are not eligible for a hardship assistance payment plan, you can consider setting up an extended payment arrangement with us. It is important to note that interest will continue to accrue on your account until the final payment is made.
  • These agreements involve regular payments (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly) via your preferred payment method.

If you have received a notice or reminder notice, please contact council to discuss entering into an extended payment arrangement.

If you have received a letter of demand, please contact Council's authorised representatives, Recoveries & Reconstruction (Aust.) Pty Ltd on 1300 556 863.

Overdue Rates, Water or Debtor Account

  • It's important to note that when paying your rates or water bills, it's essential to make sure we receive your payments by the due dates outlined on the notice.
  • At Bega Valley Shire Council, we charge interest on late payments in accordance with Section 566 of the Local Government Act, 1993. This interest is calculated daily on overdue rates and charges based on the annual adopted fees and charges and will continue to accrue on overdue amounts.

For more information please read Council's Policy 6.06 Financial Management, Procedure 6.06.03 Debt recovery and Procedure 6.06.01 financial hardship assistance on our Public Policies page by searching for the term ‘financial management’, ‘debt recovery’ and ‘financial hardship’.

Debt Recovery Process


  • Annual Notice

    Council issues all ratepayers with a rates notice in July each year outlining the annual rates and charges, instalment amounts and due dates.

  • Instalment Notice

    Council issues an instalment notice 30 days prior to the due date of each instalment.

  • Reminder Notice

    Council issues a reminder notice to the ratepayer if an instalment amount remains unpaid after the due date. This notice is sent 14 days after the due date and interest starts to accrue on the overdue amount.

  • Letter of Demand

    If there are rates and charges still owed after Council have sent a reminder notice, the account is forwarded to Council’s debt recovery agency – Recoveries and Reconstruction (R&R).

    The letter of demand clearly warns that if it is ignored, legal proceedings will commence, and this process attracts additional legal charges which will be payable by the ratepayer.

    The first step in the debt recovery process is for the agency to issue a 'letter of demand.' This letter requests that the full payment be made within 7 days, or the ratepayer can contact the agency to discuss alternative payment arrangements.

  • Summons

    If a ratepayer has not provided a satisfactory response to the letter of demand, or if payment arrangements have been broken after the letter of demand has been sent, the ratepayer will be liable for additional legal charges to recover the debt.

    If a ratepayer receives a “statement of claim” seeking to enter a payment arrangement, all calls are to be directed to the Recoveries and Reconstruction agency  on 1300 556 863.

If you would like more information or have any concerns, please put them in writing via email to council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au or via the post to PO Box 492, Bega NSW 2550.

Hardship Assistance Application

  • Download and print a hard copy
    Once completed please return by posting to Bega Valley Shire Council PO Box 492 Bega 2550 or delivering to Council’s main office in Zingel Place, Bega.

Documents include but are not limited to:

  • Evidence of income for example payslip, income statement from Centrelink, or a profit and loss statement
  • Evidence of liabilities loan documents, credit card statements
  • Evidence of expenses bank statements showing school fees grocery bills etc.

If your application meets the eligibility criteria, you will be granted an interest-free payment plan with Council.

 

 

© Bega Valley Shire Council 2025

Our council websites

Contact Us

Follow us

Sign up for newsletters