In accordance with section 56 of the Land Regulation 2020, the following areas or affected tenures in that area which have been severely affected by a natural disaster or adverse economic conditions, are declared as a hardship area:
- the affected tenures:
- All tenures defined under section 24 of the Land Regulation 2020 (being rental category 11.1 and rental category 11.2 primary production tenures)
- All tenures defined under section 25 of the Land Regulation 2020 (being rental category 12.1 and rental category 12.2 residential tenures)
- All tenures defined under section 26 of the Land Regulation 2020 (being rental category 13 business and government core business tenures)
- All tenures defined under section 27 & 28 of the Land Regulation 2020 (being rental category 14.1 and 14.2 charitable/recreation not for profit tenures)
- in local government areas:
- Burdekin Shire Council
- Cairns Regional Council
- Cassowary Coast Regional Council
- Hinchinbrook Shire Council
- Townsville City Council
The payment of all rent that, but for this declaration, would have been payable by the holder of each affected tenure, is deferred.
The payment of the rent is deferred from 1 March 2025 to 1 September 2025 and must be paid on or before 1 September 2025.
In accordance with section 59 of the Land Regulation 2020, penalty interest does not accrue on the deferred rent until the day after the 1 September 2025.
This hardship deferral declaration takes effect from 1 March 2025 and continues to take effect until it expires.