City of Newcastle says it has deferred almost $1 million in household and commercial rate payments during the coronavirus pandemic.
The council, which raises a total of about $160 million in residential and business rates each year, has offered $965,000 in interest-free rate payment plans on 410 properties as part of a $5.5 million package it adopted in March to deal with COVID-19.
The council has also halved the rent it charges on city-owned buildings, a measure it says is saving tenants $28,000 a week.
Its draft budget for 2020-21 includes a 2.6 per cent rate rise, the maximum allowable under the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal's most recent rate peg.
Every Hunter council and almost every council in NSW has applied for the maximum rise.
Newcastle's 2020-21 rates will be based on new land valuations completed by the Valuer General's office.
Labor councillors have lodged a notice of motion for Tuesday's council meeting noting that the rate rise will amount to $34 for the average household, up from $1552 to $1586.
