GUNNEDAH Shire Council (GSC) have passed a motion to resume debt recovery actions and the application of interest charges on overdue rates, charges and sundry debts, but will investigate ways to do it in a more compassionate fashion.
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Interest accrual against rates have been frozen since April last year as part of the GSC's Community Resilience - COVID-19 Business Support Package, however the resumption was agreed upon at Wednesday's ordinary council meeting.
It has committed to exploring all possible avenues before initiating debt recovery, but will now be free to commence legal proceedings to recover unpaid rates and charges should it be required.
The date at which the recommencement will take place is yet to be decided.
It read "That Council recommence debt recovery action in accordance with Council's Debt Recovery Policy and amendment to section 747AB of the Local Government Act 1993 not prior to 1 March 2021.
"That Council recommence the calculation of interest on overdue rates, charges and sundry debts per the Office of Local Government Circular 20-19 at the rate of 7.0% per annum not prior to 1 March 2021.
"That Council staff schedule a workshop prior to the end of 30 June 2021 to investigate our current debt recovery practices and performance as a Shire with a focus on facilitating compassionate debt recovery."
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There were several points of contention prior to the motion's passing, however, with Councillor Colleen Fuller stating that she was supportive of the stance council had used prior to the freeze last year.
"I would be very disappointed if we lose our hardship policy as it was, because I believe it worked very, very well," she said.
"It was great for the staff, it was good for the person, they were able to come in here and sit down and talk..."
Councillor Gae Swain also expressed concerns, accusing council of making decisions "on the run".
She stated there had been no discussion prior to the meeting about the policy or any proposed workshop.
She also made reference to a presentation that had been made by an external source earlier in the meeting, which she believed had lead to some amendments.
"I'd be very concerned that someone can come and make a presentation to a council meeting and then we instantly go in and try and change things to fit in with what that presentation was about," she said.
Cr Hooke moved to alleviate her concerns by stating the workshop would be designed to get a recommendation back from the staff which would further support the community, but that no decision had been made yet as to how the resumption of debt collection would look in practice.
