Latrobe City Council’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to help the community is a highlight of Council’s 2019/20 Annual Report.
The report was adopted by the new Council at its Ordinary Council Meeting on 7 December 2020.
The report details how Council was responsive in supporting businesses, residents and community groups through two lockdowns, and continues to help where needed.
In recognition of the immense challenges our businesses and community faced during the pandemic, Latrobe City Council adopted a two-stage Business and Community Support Package valued at approximately $1.89 million. This included grants for small businesses, a business support voucher program and webinars.
Council’s COVID-19 Helpline provided the community with up-to-date information about COVID-19 restrictions and enabled Council to gain information about how the community was managing.
“The past financial year has been like no other. We understand how challenging it has been for many. Council will continue to help the community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic as the virus remains part of our lives, with ongoing business and community support available,” Latrobe City Council Mayor Cr Sharon Gibson said.
The Annual Report transparently details Council’s achievements and performance measures for the 2019/20 financial year.
Despite the unprecedented challenges of past months, Council has continued to deliver core services for the community, albeit in some instances through innovation, and invest in initiatives.
During 2019/20, Council invested $89.76 million in capital works across the municipality,
maintained 1607km of roads and 818km of footpaths, and issued 270 planning permits. Council’s Customer Service staff answered 84,259 phone calls, 3070 vaccines were administered, 13,084 pets were registered and 291,400 items were borrowed from City libraries.
Council cared for 2193 clients in their homes and delivered 19,124 Meals on Wheels.
“Council is in a strong position financially with sufficient funds to meet upcoming commitments,” Cr Sharon Gibson said.
Council maintains more than $1.2 billion worth of assets which primarily consist of infrastructure assets.
“Council invested $90M in capital works for the year, with $63M relating to new facilities, which Council is delivering on behalf of State government, and $24M associated with maintaining and expanding the current infrastructure network,” Cr Sharon Gibson said.
In addition to the pandemic, the Annual Report celebrates major projects that have been built across the City. These are the Gippsland Regional Cricket Centre of Excellence at Ted Summerton Reserve at Moe, Gippsland Regional AFL Centre of Excellence at Morwell Recreation Reserve, Gippsland Sports and Entertainment Park at Morwell and Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium at Traralgon.
Construction of the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre and Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, both at Traralgon, is now underway.
The report also tells of Council’s involvement in such innovative programs as the Intergenerational Playgroup and support of Indigenous workers.
Council also helped to bring elite sporting events to the City, spanning Australian Football League, AFL Women’s, A-League and W-League soccer, and Big Bash League cricket. Council also supported the Morwell Rose Garden Festival, a signature event of the City.
The Annual Report can be viewed online at or in hard copy at a Council Service Centre and Library.
