Shellharbour City Council has announced a significant financial relief package to help residents and businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council is offering financial relief to businesses and residents experiencing hardship caused by the economic impacts of COVID-19. The assistance may apply to ratepayers, including owner-occupiers, non-owner occupiers and businesses.
Councillors this week unanimously approved the generous financial relief package that includes waiving of interest applying to all outstanding rates until 30 September 2020 and the ability to apply for waiving and deferring of rents and some other fees and charges in cases of hardship. This includes all business that have a commercial lease or licence in place with Council, including not-for-profit organisations.
There is also support for local businesses to meet the challenges of COVID-19 and to offer opportunities to maintain employment of residents or re-employ residents once the COVID-19 pandemic challenges reduce.
Council also agreed to bring forward $1.5M of capital projects from the 2020/21 financial year into the current financial year to further stimulate the local economy and provide further employment opportunities.
Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said Council wanted to provide as much assistance as possible to the community.
"Shellharbour City has a history of prevailing in the face of challenges, including economic and social. I believe the people of our city, supported by Council and the elected Councillors, will emerge from the current crisis with strength. We are a resilient community," Cr Saliba said.
"I want our community to know that Council is still here for them and that we care about how this situation is affecting individuals, families and businesses.
"It is important to remember that while offering relief to the community is a priority, we must be careful to ensure that ratepayers are not unduly burdened by these relief measures."
"Many of Council's commercial activities and services are being significantly affected and this is expected to continue through into the 2020/21 financial year. However, our Council is fortunate to be in a position of financial sustainability, thanks to the commitment and hard work of Councillors and staff over a long period. As a result, we are better positioned to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic."
Cr Saliba said she understood that it was a difficult time for everyone. She urged individuals, families and businesses experiencing financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic to contact Council to discuss their situation.
"If you are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact our team to discuss your options."
The Council organisation and Councillors will continue to identify mitigation measures on an on-going basis to provide a level of support to those in need.
Those who wish to lodge a hardship claim should call Council on 02 4221 6111 or access Council's website and complete a simple online form supporting their hardship claim.
FORMS
• Online Form - Leases and Licenses
• Online Form - Debtor Account
• Online Form - Council Rates
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Shellharbour City Council's COVID-19 Pandemic Financial Relief Package
Rates
Under the plan, Council will waive interest applying to all outstanding rates until 30 September 2020 impacting $30 million in rates over two instalments. Residents not incurring hardship are encouraged to pay their rates as per usual to enable Council to continue to support those in the community incurring hardship.
For those experiencing financial distress, Council's existing Rate Policy already contains a hardship clause, which allows for suitable payment arrangements in exceptional circumstances.
Council will further consider the COVID-19 Pandemic Financial Relief, if the crisis extends beyond the duration of the proposed relief.
Small Business Relief
• Speeding up Council payment processes to ensure small businesses are paid within a week of receiving a correctly rendered invoice
• Removing credit card payment surcharges
• Enabling Council venue hire bookings to be moved or cancelled within the cancellation period and allowing credits for future bookings
• Waiving outdoor fees (includes outdoor dining, personal training businesses and more)
• Offering Council tenants a deferral of rental payments for a period of 90 days
• Deferring any rent reviews for 12 months
• Consideration of waiving either all or part of tenant's rental payments for a period of 90 days or for the COVID-19 Pandemic, whichever is less
Additionally, Council can help small businesses through Council's existing Recovery of Sundry Debts Policy. This enables small businesses to enter into periodic payment arrangements.
KEY POINTS - FINANCIAL RELIEF PACKAGE
1. Waiving interest applying to all outstanding rates until 30 September 2020
2. Ensuring small businesses are paid within a week of receiving a correctly rendered invoice (already implemented)
3. Removal of the Credit Card Payment Surcharge (Refer to report 10.1.2)
4. Enabling bookings with Council to be moved or cancelled within the cancellation period and allowing credits for future bookings
5. Waiving of outdoor fees until 30 September 2020
6. Deferring tenant's rental payments for a period of 90 days
7. Deferring rent reviews for Council tenants for 12 months
8. Consideration of waiving either all or part of tenant's rental payments for a period of 90 days or for the COVID-19 Pandemic whichever is less where hardship is demonstrated by the small business owner
9. Bring forward $1.5M of capital projects from the 2020/21 financial year into the current financial year to further stimulate the local economy.
