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
