Mildura Rural City Council has introduced new measures to help ease the financial burden COVID-19 is placing on residents and businesses.
Mildura Mayor Simon Clemence said Council was committed to ensuring residents and businesses were supported during this difficult period, encouraging them to contact Council to discuss their circumstances.
"It's not understating it to say we're going through unprecedented times, with unprecedented challenges, and I know a lot of local residents and businesses are doing it extremely tough at the moment," Cr Clemence said.
From today the following measures have been introduced:
- Council's Financial Hardship Policy has been broadened and simplified to allow people with a genuine need due to COVID-19, to access it more easily
- flexible options for rate payment plans, including the ability to defer rate payments until 30 June this year if necessary
- Council will waive interest and not apply late fees on overdue rates for fourth quarter rates instalments through to 30 June this year
- flexible options for payment of leases, permits and other Council fees for those experiencing hardship
- options to defer animal registration payments. Pet owners are asked to contact Council to confirm their records
Cr Clemence said Council would continue to review fees and charges in a bid to find more opportunities to ease the financial burden residents may be facing.
"The key message here is, if you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact us so we can look at options to ease the burden," he said.
Residents wishing to register financial hardship caused by COVID-19 can do so by calling Council during business hours on (03) 5018 8100 or submitting an online form at www.mildura.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
The Mayor said these measures were part of a broader ongoing push by Council to support our region.
"Despite the massive interruption COVID-19 continues to cause, we remain committed to delivering essential services and programs to our community, in line with current social distancing measures," Cr Clemence said.
"For example, we're adjusting how we deliver some services and programs where face-to-face contact is no longer an option.
"We're also making a conscious effort to pay all suppliers as quickly as possible, and we're continuing to let tenders and contracts for major projects, civil construction and other major works to help protect jobs and our local economy."
Cr Clemence said Council would continue to advocate for additional relief and support at state and federal government level.
