Council exploring suite of COVID-19 support measures
Wakefield Regional Council will explore a range of options to provide rate relief and other support measures for the community as it works to minimise local financial pain from the COVID-19 virus.
Council today considered the idea of taking out a $3 million loan to allow the full remission of final quarter rates payments and service charges.
However, Council was concerned about the long-term debt impacts of such an approach and also uncertainty around the duration of the pandemic which may require ongoing support for the community over many months.
“Council has asked the staff to come up with a suite of ideas for us to consider as soon as possible to help the community, including financial relief for ratepayers who can show they have been impacted and other opportunities for community stimulus,” Mayor Rodney Reid said.
“We are all in this together – Council, the community and our businesses and industries,” he said. “We already have a hardship policy in place to support ratepayers facing financial difficulties but we recognise we may need to make modifications to our overall hardship approach in this challenging time.
“We’re also aware of the many sporting groups and other community organisations doing it tough and are looking at any other measures we can take to lend a hand.
“Council is also continuing plans for the longer term and how we can support the community to return to normality as quickly as possible after this emergency has passed, including getting projects to a ‘shovel ready’ stage as quickly as possible.
“Over the coming weeks and months, as we determine the impacts on the Wakefield region from COVID- 19, we may need to reprioritise our plans.
“However, as much as possible, the Council Members and employees of Wakefield Regional Council will forge ahead to deliver the services our community wants and expects.”
Ratepayers will receive information in the second half of April. If anyone has concerns when they receive the information from Council they can contact us on 8862 0800 or via email admin@wrc.sa.gov.au.