Pensioners win under rebate plan
Wednesday 13 December 2017
Thousands of pensioners are set to benefit under a plan by Inner West Council to harmonise pensioner rebates across the three former council areas, Mayor Darcy Byrne announced today.
The former Leichhardt Council system, under which pensioners were eligible for $533 rebate for their waste and stormwater, will now be extended to pensioners in the former Marrickville and Ashfield areas.
“The plan approved by Council last night will make it fair for pensioners across the board regardless of which former council area they live in,” Mayor Byrne said.
“This is great news for thousands of pensioners throughout the inner west.
“At the moment pensioners eligible for a rebate who live in the former Ashfield area receive $75, eligible pensioners in the former Marrickville $93, while those in the former Leichhardt area are eligible to $533.
“To make the system fairer, Council has decided to rebate all eligible pensioners, no matter where they live, their stormwater and domestic waste charges in line with the former Leichhardt Council policy.
“From next year eligible pensioners in the former Ashfield area will receive an estimated rebate of $385 and those in the former Marrickville area a rebate of $563 based on existing waste and stormwater rebates.
“With increases in the cost of living making life difficult for so many older people in our community it is important that we make their lives a little easier.
“This is what we can do to help the elderly in our community and I’m delighted that Council has decided to make the system fair for all,” Mayor Byrne said.
The new policy to harmonise voluntary pensioner rebates will be included as part of the 2018/19 Domestic Waste Management Charge to begin from July 1, 2018.
To be eligible for the rebate a pensioner has to be a resident ratepayer for ten years or more. The rebate is applied to the domestic waste service and stormwater charge.
Council also voted to grandfather the legacy provisions of the former Ashfield and Marrickville Councils until such time as pensioners attain 10 years resident status and are eligible for the increased rebate.