By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council has announced further details of its $5 million WynLocal economic support package, to help businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Josh Gilligan last week said the WynLocal package had been fine-tuned to complement the packages announced by the federal and state governments over the past four weeks.
WynLocal has four key elements, including waiving of council fees and charges directly related to business operation in Wyndham and a free professional services advice program.
The package also includes rates deferral for six months for eligible businesses operating in Wyndham’s commercial, industrial and agricultural zones.
To be eligible for the rates deferral, businesses must have a Wyndham trading address, an active ABN or ACN number and a turnover of less than $50 million, and/or less than 100 employees.
The council will also consider rates deferrals for businesses which have more than 100 employees and/or a turnover of more than $50 million, if companies can provide information confirming that a deferral will assist cash flow to a level that will significantly support their capacity to continue trading and maintain staff.
Businesses will also need to supply the council with a statement confirming that they have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus.
In addition to this, the WynLocal package features a business recovery and growth program.
Grants will be available for businesses that meet eligibility criteria, including the ability to adapt to post COVID-19 trading conditions and potential for growth.
Cr Gilligan said the Business Recovery and Growth Program would align with the very early stages of transition to “recovery” and initial relaxation of social distancing protocols.
He said the council was “impressed by many of our local businesses which have quickly adapted their business models in response to the impacts of COVID-19”.
“In the spirit of buying local, we’ve procured the services of 12 local professional services advisers to deliver free one-hour specialist consultations to participating small Wyndham businesses,” Cr Gilligan said.
Residents can look up businesses operating in Wyndham and local businesses can register at: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/wyndhamopen
