The City of Melbourne has announced a local economic stimulus package valued at more than $10 million to keep Melburnians in jobs and support city businesses affected by the COVID-19 virus.
Councillors endorsed the support package, which will include:
- A virtual Business Support Summit at Melbourne Town Hall
- Suspending fees for Food Act registrations and street trading permits for three months
- Halving rent for eligible tenants in Council owned buildings for three months
- Opportunities to deploy casual and part-time staff to enhance city cleanliness and amenity
- Developing a Rates Hardship Policy for consideration by the end of this month
The City of Melbourne will host a virtual COVID-19 Business Support Summit in partnership with the Victorian Government, Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Government representatives, Victoria's Chief Health Officer and Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In moving the motion, Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood said: "We recognise that cash flow management will be a pressing issue for small businesses in the coming weeks and months."
"We're developing an investment package to provide direct support to businesses. This will include up to $1 million for training and support and up to $500,000 in grants to support businesses to develop e-commerce and online services," the Deputy Lord Mayor said.
"We will also implement a Business Concierge Service that will provide one on one advice and support to Melbourne businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19.
"This is the first package of support and will be doing more over the coming weeks to assist our local business community."
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the package will support businesses affected by the state-wide emergency measures announced on Monday, which include social distancing to prioritise health and safety.
"Fees for some permits will be waived and businesses can apply for direct grants to help keep them trading," the Lord Mayor said.
"We will temporarily waive fees for street trading and outdoor dining areas at a cost to Council of $700,000.
"The economic impacts from this virus will be significant and we're encouraging everybody to support local businesses wherever they can."
"In partnership with Spotless Services, we will also provide cross training and employment for approximately 200 affected casual staff to be redeployed to work on improving city cleanliness and presentation.
The Lord Mayor said the City of Melbourne would be working with Queen Victoria Market management to provide appropriate support to traders.
"Queen Victoria Market is the lifeblood of our city and we're doing everything we can support traders
affected by the downturn," the Lord Mayor said.
"We will request the Board of the Queen Victoria Market to consider rent relief for affected tenants and stallholders.
"We're doing everything we can to help businesses stay open and keep Melburnians in jobs."
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