Brimbank’s new COVID-19 Business Response and Recovery Taskforce is up and running, having met for the first time on Thursday 30 April 2020, in a session that brought together local business leaders and Council to co-design Terms of Reference and start planning a coordinated approach to supporting business recovery.
Council has set up the taskforce as part of the Brimbank COVID-19 Response and Recovery Strategy.
Terms of Reference were endorsed at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 19 May 2020.
Brimbank Mayor, Cr Georgina Papafotiou said the taskforce would play an important role in providing input to business recovery plans.
‘I’m pleased to say our new Brimbank Business Response and Recovery Taskforce has been set up and will be providing advice on supporting local businesses, particularly in recovery.
‘The Taskforce brings together business leaders representing a wide sector of businesses, skills and knowledge, to provide input on business strengthening and business capacity building activities.
‘The input from the Taskforce will be vital for planning a robust and workable business recovery program.
‘On behalf of Council I welcome the business and Council Taskforce members and look forward to working collaboratively to plan a coordinated business recovery program that will effectively support our local businesses.
‘We will also invite state and federal government representatives as required, and look forward to working closely with other levels of government, and continuing to inform government on action and advocacy for assistance, as well as short and long-term business recovery priorities,’ Cr Papafotiou said.
The Brimbank COVID-19 Business Response and Recovery Taskforce is chaired by Brimbank Mayor, Cr Georgina Papafotiou.
Members include representatives of Sunshine Business Association, St Albans Business Association, Brimbank Business Association, Keilor Village Traders Association, Watergardens Town Centre, and Brimbank Central, as well as representatives from a number of local businesses based in Brimbank such as McDonalds, Overnewton Castle, Stockdale & Leggo, Deer Park, Luus Commercial Catering Equipment, Bell Environmental and Matthews Steer Accountants.
Appointments to the taskforce will be initially till October 2020.
Supporting Brimbank business is an important part of the Brimbank COVID-19 Response and Recovery Strategy that is guiding a whole-of-council effort to assist local business and residents not just now, but as we recover and rebuild.
Council is working actively on many fronts to support local business through an integrated Business Support and Assistance Response and has already rolled out a range of measures to support Brimbank business through the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council is also engaging with the Federal and State governments to align and integrate its Response Strategy, including through potential Transforming Brimbank opportunities, the Working for Victoria Fund and more.
