Deborah Glass – Ombudsman states the following in her report
“The public sector is expected to act in the public interest more than the private sector – but in dealing with hardship, local councils lag behind utility and other companies, including banks.”
Just over 12 months ago the Warrnambool Ratepayer Association called on the Warrnambool City Council to acknowledge rate waivers and develop a hardship policy.
It is very disturbing when banks and utility companies handle the issue of financial hardship more compassionately than local council.
After considerable searching of the WCC website we found a small section on financial hardship in the Debt Management Policy approved in September 2020. This policy needs to be in a more prominent position on the Warrnambool Council website to make it is easier for those needing help to find.