Council is taking action to help hardest hit citizens in this recent lockdown by offering financial assistance of up to $400 to residential ratepayers who qualify for the Commonwealth or State COVID-19 Disaster Payments.
"Our first priority during this strange and difficult time should be doing everything possible to support local people to stay safe and get through the lockdown," said Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.
"The financial assistance proposal is on public exhibition for 28 days, but in the meantime, eligible residents can register their intention to apply at yoursay.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/covid19-financial-assistance.
"Our officers have also been reaching out to local NGOs and we are being told that this lockdown is more severe and there is generally more distress in the community.
"One of the biggest issues our citizens are facing are food insecurity, mental health, loss of income, navigating systems for the disaster payments and managing work and home schooling," Mayor Byrne said.
A range of measures were considered at Tuesday night's Council meeting, and some of the decisions include:
• Provide financial assistance of up to $400 to residential ratepayers who qualify for the Commonwealth or State COVID-19 Disaster Payments and develop hardship criteria to prioritise those who have suffered the greatest disadvantage
• Redistribute some of the annual Community Wellbeing grant funding. Addison Road Food Pantry and Bill Crews Exodus Foundation will each receive $25,000 to alleviate food insecurity for families in the Inner West
• Redistribute $20,000 from the Targeted Early Intervention funding from Department of Communities and Justice to vulnerable families and young people
• Receive a report to the next council meeting on how up to $250,000 could be targeted to those most in need in our community
"Last year, Council provided a total of $250,000 to 10 partner organisations such as Addison Road Community Centre, Asylum Seekers Centre, Exodus Foundation, Headspace Ashfield and various community centres," Mayor Byrne said.
"That funding resulted in positive outcomes delivered directly to our community, such as food hampers, support to boarding house residents, mental health support to young people, telephone and online outreach to seniors and families, training, and redeployment of volunteers.
"Inner West Council is determined to do its bit in supporting our community," Mayor Byrne said.
