Renewed financial assistance to support community through pandemic
Published on 16 September 2021
Campaspe Shire Council has endorsed a renewed suite of financial assistance measures for the 2021/22 year to assist the community to address the continued challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, including the ongoing restrictions and lockdowns.
Mayor Cr Chrissy Weller said COVID-19 has touched every aspect of life in Campaspe and Council is committed to continuing to help those in the community experiencing financial difficulty.
“Council recognises the far-reaching impacts of the pandemic on ratepayers and other individuals, on businesses, on families, on the not-for-profit sector, and on our way of life in Campaspe,” Cr Weller said.
“Everyone has been impacted differently so the financial assistance measures are spread across various Council services to provide support as equitably as possible.
“We hope the measures will go some way to helping ease the financial pressure on those doing it tough in these very challenging times.”
Summary of Key Financial Assistance Measures
Rate payments
Waiving interest on any rates debt for the period 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.
Echuca Holiday Park
Credit annual site holders at the Echuca Holiday Park for the periods that travel restrictions have applied to the annual site holder’s ordinary place of residence, once travel restrictions are revoked.
Child care
Waiving parent/guardian gap fees for those not permitted to attend the Campaspe Community Children’s Centre and the Rochester and District Child Care Centre during state government restrictions.
Library services
Extending loans on all items borrowed from libraries until the service is permitted to reopen and waiving overdue return fees for one month after the service reopens.
EWMAC
Pausing direct debits for the Echuca War Memorial Aquatic Centre during periods the facility is closed.
Support for Business
Reducing registration fees for premises registered under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 by one fifth of the full fee.
Refunding, on a pro rata basis, the annual or quarterly off-street parking permits paid in advance, for businesses that have been closed as a result of state government directions, on application by the business and pending evidence of business closure.
Waiving monthly retail commercial property rental payments for businesses, impacted by the state government Restricted Activities Directions, occupying Council buildings and facilities by way of a lease or licence, commencing 16 July 2021 until the state government direction to remain closed is revoked and then commencing a phased discount to rentals for the three months ensuing, based on the following schedule:
- 50% monthly rental reduction for the first month following the State Government directions allowing businesses to open.
- 25% monthly rental reduction for the second month following the State Government directions allowing businesses to open.
- 10% monthly rental reduction for the third month following the State Government directions allowing businesses to open.
- 0% rental reduction commencing from the fourth month following the State Government directions allowing businesses to open.
User fees - community groups occupying Council-owned properties
Recalculate user fees for community groups occupying Council recreation reserve buildings and facilities impacted by the state government directions by way of a user agreement and who have been previously impacted by the state government directions, basing the calculation on the 2019 year data (last year not impacted by the pandemic) and applying a reduction based on the impact of the state government directions.
Rental payments – community groups and artisans occupying Council-owned properties
Defer property rental payments for community groups and artisans, impacted by the State Government Restricted Activities Directions, occupying Council buildings and facilities by way of a lease, licence or user agreement, commencing 16 July 2021, until three months after the State Government Directions to remain closed is revoked.
Surrender of lease or licence
Agree to the surrender of any lease or licence, if a business, community group or artisan gives notice, without penalty until the 30 November 2021, except when there is an outstanding debt prior to 16 July 2021.
Public Spaces Trading Permits
Reducing the 2021/22 Public Spaces Trading permits for the display of goods, A frames and footpath trading by one quarter of the current fee.
Note: Fees and charges incurred prior to 16 July 2021 remain outstanding and are due and payable to Council.
“While the financial assistance measures cover a diverse range of areas, I encourage individuals, businesses or community groups who feel the measures do not support their specific circumstance to make contact with Council to discuss their situation,” Cr Weller said.
For more information contact Council on 5481 2200.