Hardship Policy - Rates and Charges (Submissions close 27 March 2026)
The purpose of this policy is to provide assistance to those ratepayers who are experiencing genuine financial hardship, and to explain the process for assessing and processing requests, payment arrangements, writing off interest on overdue rates and charges, and the applicable criteria for assistance.
Background: At the 25 March 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting, Council Resolution 2025/40, directed that Council's hardship and debt recovery policies be reviewed to include a Norfolk Island-specific approach to accommodate special or unique circumstances that residents may face.
This direction was further confirmed on 25 June 2025 as part of Resolution 2025/95, which additionally requested a 28-day consultation period and review of the draft policies by the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC).
These policies were formally reviewed by ARIC on 12 February 2026 and endorsed to Council with only minor amendments.
The policies were also presented at the 24 February 2026 meeting of the Strategic Finance Improvement Committee.
Document for public exhibition:
Hardship Policy (Revised)(PDF, 445KB)
Background information:
Finance Related Policies for Public Exhibition - Media Release 27 February 2026(PDF, 108KB)
Written submissions should be marked as shown below and can be made in the following ways:
- Hand submitted in person: Customer Care, Bicentennial Centre, 39 Taylors Road, Burnt Pine
- By Mail: Mark the envelope 'Hardship Policy Feedback' and mail to Norfolk Island Regional Council, PO Box 95, Norfolk Island
- By Email: Subject line: 'Hardship Policy Feedback' to customercare@nirc.gov.nf.
Submission close:
4:00pm on Friday 27 March 2026.