By Staff Writer

The New South Wales Government has announced that it will protect the entitlement of seriously injured war veterans to a concession on council rates.

Local Government Minister Barbara Perry said new State Government regulation would protect the rights of service men and women to receive a concession.

“We want to ensure that hardworking NSW service men and women who are injured during service receive their proper entitlements,” Perry said.

“These changes will guarantee that they receive a discount on council rates both now and into the future.”

Under the changes, newly returned service people with extreme disabilities will be guaranteed a concession on council rates. War widows or widowers receiving a pension are also eligible for the discounted rate.

Amendments to the Local Government General Regulation follow changes to the Commonwealth’s Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.

“We needed to change our Regulation to ensure no one misses out,” Perry said.

Eligible pensioners will receive a discount of up to $250 on their ordinary council rates and domestic waste management services charge. They will also receive a discount of up to $87.50 each on water and sewerage rates.