Are you interested in supporting the community to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic? Do you have great ideas on how Council can best help community members experiencing difficulties due to the continued impacts of COVID-19?
Hobsons Bay City Council is inviting community members to register their interest to be part of the Community Support Package Focus Group to help determine how best to support members of the community hardest hit by the pandemic.
The $2 million Community Support Package is part of the Proposed Annual Budget 2021-22, currently out for public exhibition, and encompasses $1.35 million in targeted rate reductions for those who need it most including rate rebates ($740,000), interest-free rate deferrals ($450,000) and rate waivers ($160,000), which will be guided by Council’s Financial Hardship Policy.
The package also includes $650,000 of support to groups in our community that we know through recently targeted research are facing a higher level of financial stress from the pandemic: our creative industries, young people, and local businesses. There will be a further $200,000 available to the community through the Make it Happen Hobsons Bay Recovery and Reconnection Grants program.
The Community Support Package Focus Group, representing a cross section of the community, will be instrumental in helping shape COVID recovery programs, ensuring that support reaches those who need it most.
The Community Support Package Focus Group aims to:
- determine how best to allocate the $2 million Community Support Package for rate rebates, deferrals and waivers
- support groups in our community (such as the arts industry, young people and businesses) hit hardest by COVID 19
- identify additional groups in our community experiencing disadvantage due to COVID 19
- discuss how rate rebates will apply to those experiencing disadvantage.
The Community Support Package Focus Group will represent a balanced cross section of the Hobsons Bay community made up of residents from all suburbs from all ages, backgrounds, lifestyles, and household circumstances.
Recommendations of the panel will be presented to Hobsons Bay City Council for consideration.
Community members can register their interest to be part of the Community Support Package Focus Group until Sunday 9 May.
The 2021-22 Proposed Annual Budget is on public exhibition until 23 May 2021
The Annual Budget 2021-22 is set to be presented for adoption on Tuesday 29 June. To make a submission or view the proposed budget, visit participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/proposed-annual-budget-2021-22.
Quotes attributable to Hobsons Bay Mayor Cr Jonathon Marsden
“Community involvement is essential in developing a meaningful and responsive package. As a Council, we are committed to provide targeted support to residents and businesses that need it most.”
