COVID financial measures endorsed
Published on 09 December 2020
Campaspe Shire Council has endorsed ongoing financial support measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to assist ratepayers, residents, businesses and community groups during the recovery phase.
Mayor, Cr Chrissy Weller said initial measures were put in place in April this year, in response to the first wave of the pandemic. Additional financial support measures were then put in place in August in response to the ongoing pandemic and second wave.
“The impacts of the pandemic are as varied as our communities themselves,” Cr Weller said.
“Each person’s circumstance is different and while we have considered and endorsed ongoing measures, I would encourage individuals or groups who feel the measures do not support their specific circumstance to make contact.”
A summary of the financial support measures approved by Council are:
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Rate payments
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Waive interest on current outstanding rates and charges until 30 June 2021.
Suspend any debt collection until 30 June 2021 less than five years old.
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Car parking
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Waive timed car parking fees in Echuca until 1 January 2021. Time restrictions will still apply.
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Port of Echuca Discovery Centre
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Waive entry fees with fees adopted for guided tours.
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User agreements
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Recalculate utility charges for the 2020/21 financial year for community groups occupying Council buildings and facilities by a User Agreement.
Extend any payment terms of any outstanding fees until 30 September 2021.
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Lease or licence payments - businesses
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Waive monthly commercial rental payments for businesses, impacted by the State Government’s Restricted Activities direction, occupying Council building through a lease or licence agreement until 31 December 2020.
Commence a phased discount of rentals:
25% monthly rental reduction – 1 January to 31 March 2021
10% monthly rental reduction – 1 April to 30 June 2021
0% rental reduction from 1 July 2021.
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Lease or licence payments – Community groups
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Community groups: Waive monthly commercial rental payments for community groups, impacted by the State Government’s Restricted Activities direction, occupying Council building through a lease or licence agreement until 31 December 2020.
Commence a phased discount of rentals:
50% monthly rental reduction – 1 January to 31 March 2021
25% monthly rental reduction – 1 April to 30 June 2021
0% rental reduction from 1 July 2021.
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Council also approved the following measures that will resume in 2021:
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Child care
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Commence charging 2020/21 child care fees, on cessation of the Commonwealth Government’s recovery package funding.
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Debtor accounts
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Commence debt collection in January 2021 for any outstanding service debtors incurred greater than 90+ days.
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Council itself has been impacted by the State Government restrictions and the financial impacts will reflected in the review of the 2020/21 Budget, currently underway.
More detail about the financial support measures are available on Council’s website, www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/covidfinance