COUNCIL rate notices will go out this week and financial help is available for those doing it tough.
Scenic Rim Regional Council mayor Greg Christensen said people should be aware that support was available for residents and businesses hit by fires or drought.
"We recognise that some people in our communities are suffering financially and there are also ratepayers impacted by the ongoing drought and recent bushfires and we want to let them know there is help available from council," Cr Christensen said.
"The last thing we want is for people to feel additional stress and uncertainty about their ability to pay rates and charges within the time frames on the notices.
"We recognise that everyone is in a unique situation and may be impacted by illness or loss of employment, and we would encourage them to speak with council about the options available to them."
Council also had drought rate relief for primary producers whose rated property was their primary source of income.
"While we've seen some welcome rain over the past week or so, this is certainly not enough to break the drought yet, and we know primary producers have been doing it tough over this period," he said.
Council's latest rate relief extends to eligible landowners directly impacted by bushfires who can defer their January and July rates notices until December 31, 2020.
"The eligibility period for council's temporary bushfire rate relief aligns with the activation dates for Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements as defined by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority," Cr Christensen said.
"This is classified as Southern Queensland Bushfires from 6 to 12 September 2019, and the Eastern Queensland Bushfires, which impacted the western part of the Scenic Rim, from 8 November to 19 December 2019.
"The important message from council is for landowners who have been adversely and directly impacted by the bushfire events that this support is available to them."
Residents and business operators wishing to access drought or bushfire rate relief will need to contact the council's rates team.
Others suffering hardship and having difficulty paying rates, can contact council to discuss available payment options.
The latest rate payments are due by February 20, and council offers a five per cent discount on general rates (where applicable) for payments received on or before the due date.