Financial support measures extended

Central Goldfields Shire Council will extend its financial support measures to assist ratepayers, businesses and community groups with the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

Central Goldfields Shire CEO Lucy Roffey said Council made the decision to commence a review of its COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy at the 11 August Council Meeting.

“Council is committed to doing what it can to continue to support the local community as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact.

“In March we moved quickly to implement the financial support measures to support our community with the premise that we would review the measures by the end of September.

“Whilst restrictions have started to ease we know that through conversations with our local community, particularly through the work of our Economic Response and Recovery Taskforce, that some of our local businesses and community are still doing it tough.

“We want to do what we can to alleviate the financial impacts of COVID-19. These measures will provide some financial relief and help build a stronger economic future for the Central Goldfields.”

The following measures will be extended to 31 March, 2021 and will be reviewed again at that time:

Ratepayers experiencing financial hardship

  • Suspension of all current debt recovery action to 31 March, 2021
  • Updated COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy – effective 1 October, 2020
  • Extension of rate payments to 31 December, 2020 on request, with no interest
  • Waived interest on overdue rates and waste charges extended to 31 March, 2021
  • For persons suffering financial hardship, waived pet registration fees

Business support

  • Updated COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy will also apply to businesses
  • Waiver of 2021 registration fees for food, accommodation, beauty, hair dressing salons and various permits.
  • Payment of local suppliers weekly to improve business cash flow continues
  • Waived rent for businesses occupying Council buildings and facilities extended to 31 March, 2021
  • Ongoing dedicated business contact officer within Council
  • Ongoing dedicated COVID-19 business support page on Council’s website www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/covid19
  • Ongoing access to Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry support in partnership with Committee for Maryborough

Permits

  • Waived outdoor dining fees and a simplified and streamlined outdoor dining application process now in place
  • Extension of expiry dates for septic, building and planning permits for 12 months at no cost to 31 March, 2021

    Community support

  • Waived rent for all occupiers of Council buildings and facilities extended from 30 September 2020 to 31 March, 2021
  • Waived building or planning permits fees under Council’s Community Support Policy extended to 31 March, 2021
  • Waived 2021 registration fees for community organisations who require permits for various services
  • Ongoing additional parking enforcement around MDHS to support health workers/patients
  • Ongoing dedicated COVID-19 information page on Council’s website – www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/covid19

    Capital works

  • Council will continue works as scheduled so as to maximise local business and employment opportunities.
  • Council will proactively promote local procurement for capital and other expenditure and Council’s Business and Economic Development Units will work with local businesses to achieve that

Council is working to get these measures ready for implementation from 1 October, 2020.

/Public Release. View in full here.