Community
3 September, 2021
Douglas Shire Council Meeting Briefs
Assistance for battling ratepayers was a key matter raised at the Douglas Shire Council August Ordinary Meeting. Ratepayers struggling due to economic impact of COVID will have an extended grace period for the payment of rates this year.
COVID Grace Period For Late Payments
RATEPAYERS who pay their latest rates notice before September 26, 2021 won’t be charged interest.
Douglas Shire Council has extended the interest grace period to 30 days for rates due on Thursday August 26 , 2021.
The grace period is designed to provide a small relief to ratepayers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Douglas ratepayers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 and having difficulty paying their rates are urged to contact Council for assistance.
You may be eligible to enter an Arrangement to Pay with Council.
Residents are advised to call the Customer Service officers at Council on (07) 4099 9444 to organise a payment arrangement.
Ratepayers may qualify for Rates Financial Hardship assistance. Before applying, please read the Rates Financial Hardship Policy. A copy of the Residents Hardship Policy can be found at https://douglas.qld.gov.au/download/policies/Rates-Financial-Hardship-Policy.pdf
Ratepayers can complete the Rates Hardship Relief online form and a Council officer will be in contact to discuss repayment options.
Survey For Shannonvale & Cassowary
DOUGLAS Shire Council will survey residents living in Shannonvale and Cassowary in coming weeks to ascertain how many of them watch free to air television.
The survey will help Council decide whether there’s sufficient users to justify the estimated $30,000 spent in maintenance and repairs each year.
Council has operated three broadcast television towers since 2004, servicing residents in Cow Bay, Diwan, Daintree Village, Shannonvale and Cassowary.
In May 2011, Cairns Regional Council made the decision to upgrade the South Mossman, Daintree, and Alexander Range re-transmission sites to digital, instead of opting into the Federal Government’s Viewer Access Satellite Television (Vast).
Since that time, due to a lack of spare parts, lack of service agreements with any reliable supplier and changes to broadcast technology, there has been a significant drop in the level of service.
Expensive repairs and unreliable service will see the Alexandra Range tower de-commissioned immediately and the Daintree Village Television Tower de-commissioned on June 30 next year.
Council Endorses Dog Registration Campaign
LOCAL dog owners will be encouraged to register their dogs during an education and compliance campaign to kick off next month.
Douglas Shire Council endorsed an Approved Inspection Program to help Council Officers re-unite lost animals with owners and improve outcomes for impounded dogs.
The Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 requires that all dogs in Queensland are registered once they are more than 12 weeks old.
Approved Inspection Programs in other Far Northern councils have led to a 33% increase in dog registrations.
A copy of Council’s inspection program and FAQs will be available at Council’s Customer Service Centres.
Draft Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Approved
A DRAFT plan to enhance relationships and create opportunities with local First People’s and Communities will be submitted to Reconciliation Australia for their endorsement.
Douglas Shire Council has approved the draft Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to honour a new beginning for the reconciliation journey.
Once endorsed, Council will advance the next stage of implementing the endorsed RAP into Council processes and undertakings.
A local RAP Reference Group will be established to assist and monitor the implementation of the RAP.
