COVID-19: Ratepayers offered payment relief
Far North District Council ratepayers facing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing drought may be able to defer paying their rates for up to six months.
The Council adopted the rates relief measure at its 9 April meeting in recognition of the financial hardship many rural, residential and commercial ratepayers are facing as a result of the pandemic and the nation’s response to it. It is effective immediately and is intended to provide relief to ratepayers who will receive 2019/20 fourth instalment rate invoices next week.
Mayor John Carter says the offer is an interim measure until the pandemic’s full impact on the economy is known. “We know many of our residents are struggling financially, because they have lost their job or their incomes have been reduced.”
Those applying for the assistance will need to meet simple criteria to demonstrate financial hardship. This includes loss of income, qualification for the Government’s pandemic support package or qualification for a mortgage holiday from a bank. “We want to help ratepayers through this unprecedented event. If the pandemic means you are struggling to make ends meet, contact us and we will see how we can assist, either by deferring rates bills or by referring you to other government assistance options.”
Mayor Carter says Council staff are also busy exploring central government funding options to help get the district’s economy back on track as quickly as possible after the lockdown. “We have prepared a number of large and small infrastructure proposals we believe will create jobs and stimulate the economy.”
Planning is also well-advanced on how the Council will restart non-essential services once pandemic restrictions are relaxed. “We will be guided by central government and health experts, but we are acutely aware of the leadership role the Council plays in our economy. We will be working hard to make the transition safe and seamless.”
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Calling All Puzzle Masters! Can You Solve This?
When John was six years old he hammered a nail into his favorite tree to mark his height.
Ten years later at age sixteen, John returned to see how much higher the nail was.
If the tree grew by five centimetres each year, how much higher would the nail be?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
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