Rate relief for some Sydney pensioners under new scheme

Life looks set to be a little easier for some Sydney pensioners, with some councils set to offer a generous rates rebate – but it all comes down to where they live.

All Sydney Local Government Areas offer pensioners a $250 yearly mandatory rebate, which offers them 50 percent off on ordinary rates and charges for domestic waste management.

Only full pensioners are eligible for the full rebate.

But pensioners who live in the City of Sydney, which takes in the CBD, areas of Alexandria, Annandale and parts of the inner west, will continue to get free rates as long as their property is their sole principle residence, under a generous new plan.

From July 1, Blacktown – Sydney’s largest LGA, which spans 48 suburbs and has a combined population of more than 330,000 – will become the second most generous.

On top of the mandatory $250 rebate, the council will almost double its voluntary rebate from $105 to $200.

Eligible pensioners would stand to pick up a $450 maximum rebate, under the scheme.

Other generous councils include Campbelltown, which offers a $50 bonus, Bankstown ($40 extra), Sutherland (an extra $105 with certain conditions) and Hurstville ($75).

The rebates aren’t automatic – pensioners need to apply and provide a copy of their pensioner card.

To be eligible, you must hold a concession card and the property must be your sole residence.

HOW YOUR COUNCIL STACKS UP:

THE GENEROUS

* City of Sydney: 100 percent of rates as long as the property is the pensioner's sole or principal residence

* Blacktown: Up to an additional $200 rebate taking total to up to $450

* Campbelltown: Up to an additional $50 taking total to up to $300

* Sutherland: Up to an additional $105 for pensioners who've been ratepayers for at least three years in the Shire, but they're asked to pay their own waste service charge. Takes total to up to $355

* Bankstown: Up to an additional $40 taking total to up to $290

* Ku-ring-gai: Up to an additional 11 percent off rates and charges

* Pittwater: Up to an additional $150 for pensioners under the age of retirement for the remaining half of the rates and waste charges

* Waverley: Up to an additional $50 taking total to up to $300

* Holroyd: Up to an additional $15 taking total up to $265

* Hurstville: Up to an additional $75 taking total to up to $325

* Leichhardt: If pensioners have been paying rates continuously for 10 or more years, they may be eligible for a rebate on the domestic waste management charge and stormwater management service charge

* North Sydney: Additional 50 percent off on waste collection charge

* Manly: Additional $20-$30 depending on value of the property taking total to $270-$280

* Mosman: Additional $125 only for WWII veterans and their widows, taking total to $375

These Sydney councils offer the basic mandatory rebate of up to $250:

* Penrith

* Hornsby

* Liverpool

* The Hills

* Warringah

* Parramatta

* Randwick

* Canterbury

* Fairfield

* Rockdale

* Ryde

* Woollahra

* Canada Bay

* Camden

* Marrickville

* Willoughby

* Kogarah

* Auburn

* Lane Cove

* Burwood

* Strathfield

* Botany Bay

* Hunters Hill

* Ashfield