WRC announces rate relief, grants as part of bold COVID-19 aid package

Wakefield Regional Council has approved a community support package worth up to $867,000 as a first round of assistance as it works to steer the region through the COVID-19 crisis.

Adopted by Council late yesterday, the package directly targets those impacted by measures introduced due to the COVID19 pandemic. It includes:

• Rate relief for impacted businesses, ratepayers, sporting clubs and community groups, with full remission of fourth quarter 2019/20 rates and service charges for ratepayers who can show they have been directly impacted by COVID-19;
• Grants of up to $5,000 for impacted businesses to assist with the engagement of professional support services or to encourage operational improvements or repositioning, and;
• Utilities support of up to $5,000 to help sporting clubs and community organisations impacted by COVID-19 pay their water and electricity bills.

“This is just a first round of immediate support for those hit hardest by the COVID-19 crisis,” Mayor Rodney Reid said. “We are working on further measures but, from our conversations with community groups and individuals, we feel these are the critical first steps we need to take.

“These are bold measures for a small regional Council but we owe it to our community to provide help as soon as we can.

“There are many locals who have lost work or had hours reduced to such an extent they cannot manage their bills and these measures offer immediate financial support. When the final quarter rates notices are distributed in the coming weeks, we want to ensure help is at hand for those doing it tough.

“Council has an existing policy for residential ratepayers facing financial difficulties and will extend that approach to all ratepayers, including businesses, and sporting clubs and community groups.

“For community and sporting groups we understand the utility bills are a major issue. We are suspending our annual community grants program for 2020 to distribute funding more broadly across these groups and support their capacity to pay for water and electricity. On application, these organisations will also be able to have rates and service charges remitted for the fourth quarter.

“Many businesses have been severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and, along with rate relief, the package offers the opportunity for them to receive grant funding to access professional support and/or undertake improvements or repositioning to support their trade.

“This is just round one. Looking ahead, we are keen to provide further support measures that keep people and clubs connected in these difficult times.”