FRASER Coast Regional Council is committed to assisting ratepayers with managing their cost of living expenses through various support programs and initiatives.
In addition, Council extends its commitment to the community by offering a range of free activities and services. These initiatives not only promote community engagement and relaxation but also help to alleviate cost of living pressures for individuals and families across the Fraser Coast.
Financial Hardship
Council’s Financial Hardship Policy outlines a process for providing assistance to ratepayers in financial hardship who are unable to pay their rates and charges and to support primary producers with drought-declared properties.
The Financial Hardship Policy is available at https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/759/financial-hardship-council-policy
Rates concessions for pensioners
Council provides a general rates concession of up to $175 a year to ratepayers who receive a pension from the Commonwealth Government, and who comply with the guidelines for the State Government Pensioner Rate Subsidy Scheme.
The Pensioner Concession Council Policy is available at https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/776/pensioner-concession-council-policy
Rates concessions for community groups and non-profit organisations
Council provides rates concessions for land owned by non-profit organisations including religious entities, community and welfare groups, care facilities for the aged and persons with disabilities, and emergency services.
Council recognises these groups operate for the general benefit of the community, rely on volunteer labour, and often have limited financial resources. It is expected that by allowing a concession for these groups, more of their financial resources will be available to assist members of the community.
The Community Groups Concession Council Policy is available at https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/742/community-groups-concessions-council-policy
Conservation areas concession
Council is committed to providing assistance for the preservation, restoration, and protection of environmentally significant land, and as such, provides a rates concession to owners of conservation land.
The Conservation Areas Rates Concession Policy is available at https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/746/conservation-areas-rates-rebate-council-policy
Refurbishment concession
Council may grant a concession to ratepayers to support the refurbishment of heritage buildings, character buildings and other significant buildings.
The Refurbishment Concession Council Policy is available at https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/3991/refurbishment-concession-council-policy
Economic Development
Council may grant concessions to encourage the economic development of all or part of the region.
This occurs on a case-by-case basis as adopted by Council resolution.
Animal Desexing Rebate
Council provides an incentive to Queensland Concession Card holders to desex their cats and dogs as part of its responsible pet ownership program.
Eligible pet owners receive a $100 rebate for dogs and a $50 rebate for cats that have recently been desexed.
The targeted program helps ease the cost of living for those who need the most help. Queensland Concession Card holders include seniors, people with a disability, carers, sole parents, widows and students.
More details are available on Council’s Responsible Pet Ownership page on its website at https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/responsible-pet-ownership including application forms, a fact sheet and the Animal Desexing Reimbursement Incentive Policy.
Free Activities and Services Wetside and Splashside
Our free aqua activities are great options to keep locals and tourists cool and entertained during our warmer months.
Wetside had almost 120,000 visits in the 2022/23 season with last Christmas-New Year week being the busiest week since the facility opened 13 years ago.
Entry to Hervey Bays WetSide Water Park arena is free and includes water slides and a water play area.
https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/wetside-water-park
Splashside is Maryborough’s water play park and is situated in Anzac Park, joining the all abilities playground to ensure a great day out for the whole family.
https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/splashside
Art Galleries and Libraries
Council has a colourful and vibrant cultural life, and Council are keen to ensure our community has opportunities to appreciate its arts, heritage and cultural diversity for free.
Council oversees the operation of two art galleries: the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery and Gatakers Artspace in Maryborough.
https://hbrg.ourfrasercoast.com.au
https://gatakers.ourfrasercoast.com.au
Council operates five libraries across the Fraser Coast including Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Howard, Burrum Heads and Tiaro.
Community members have complimentary access to enter our libraries, where they can unwind, enjoy the tranquil reading areas and take advantage of free WIFI services.
https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/libraries-location-and-hours
The Bond Store in Maryborough is a valuable free resource that will reopen on March 26, inviting the community to delve into the authentic history of Maryborough.
Additionally, in June, Fraser Coast Regional Council will reopen Customs House offering free access to pop-up exhibitions and historical resources.
Free WIFI
Council offers free WIFI to tourists and locals which is available at the Maryborough Town Hall Green, WetSide Water Park, SkateSide and the Seafront Oval, Hervey Bay Airport and Fraser Coast Libraries and Galleries.
https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/free-public-wifi
Public parks and playgrounds
The Fraser Coast has two botanic gardens and over 100 other parks, gardens, playgrounds and recreational areas for locals and tourists to enjoy for free.
