Mitchell Shire Council has supported a recovery package that will help assist residents and businesses during the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the breakout of COVID-19 Council has been continually evaluating delivery of front-line services to the community, adapting to the new situation, as well as the type of support Council can offer the community including the valued business sector.
The package builds on measures so far implemented by Council and its partnership groups in supporting residents and business.
It includes:
- A successful application in attracting $3.8 million under the Working for Victoria fund to assist the Shire’s critical response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Waiving Statutory Planning pre application planning fees
- Extension of planning permit fee (business only)
- Local Laws fees (for businesses) including A-frames; Outdoor dining; Displaying goods; Roadside trading
- Waiving Environmental Health fees (for businesses) Food businesses (including mobile), (Cafes, Restaurants, hairdressers, beauty salons, tattooists)
- Waving some Public Land Hire Fees
- Support a tourism activation campaign up to $50,000
- Supporting the Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) Strategic signage Implementation plan $20,000.
- Investigates further the opportunity to support an acquisitive sculpture prize of $5,000.
It builds on the deferral of fourth quarter rate payments until 30 September for residents and business with no penalty interest.
Council has played a key role in community relief including the support of residents who are in non-mandatory isolation, who may be vulnerable. This support has included the coordination of relief packages and linking in to local social, community and health support services.
Council has also worked to create a package to support community and business moving into recovery. This has included a successful grant application to Working for Victoria which will see additional staff engaged, at a minimal cost to ratepayers, to assist with the recovery process.
It has seen a change in the way Council conducts its business and provided new and innovative ways of working. It has taken away some direct interaction with our community, an area Council looks forward to once again engaging once restrictions provide safe interaction to do.
