By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council has announced a $5 million stimulus package to help support businesses and retain jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.
Under the plan, which was the topic of a special council meeting held on Monday, businesses directly affected by the COVID-19 social distancing measures will be able to access a grants program to help keep staff in jobs.
Details of the fund will be finalised by the end of March, according to a council statement.
Earlier this week, all schools, pubs, clubs, casinos, cinemas, gyms and places of worship were closed or shut down as the state battles the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state government announced that essential services would continue to operate, including banks, supermarkets, chemists and service stations.
Under the council’s stimulus package, businesses which fall into the commercial, industrial or farming categories will have their rates deferred for six months, until September this year.
Wyndham mayor Josh Gilligan said that helping to keep people in jobs would have a flow-on effect for households.
“This package is designed to complement the initiatives announced by the state and federal governments over the past few days, but with a local flavour,” Cr Gilligan said.
“It focuses on the 84,000 workers, local business owners and their families that depend on an active local economy in Wyndham.”
For households, Wyndham council’s hardship policy will be extended, allowing payment plans to be considered for all ratepayers.
In addition, the council will make no new referrals to debt collection agencies for six months.
“We will also be reviewing our fees and charges in council’s environmental and related services with options for deferral or exemption,” Cr Gilligan said.
Cr Gilligan said the council would not rule out further support for households and businesses as the coronavirus “crisis” continued.
“My councillor colleagues and I will do everything we can as your local council to support businesses and their workers who, in turn, can support their families,” he said.
While the council has recently stopped public access to its venues and facilities, chief executive Kelly Grigsby said that its customer service team would “continue to be available seven days a week on phone and online for the foreseeable future”.
“We have also reached out to health agencies to offer assistance on the frontline, dealing directly with those impacted by the virus,” Ms Grigsby said.
The council also announced on Monday that its kindergarten services closed yesterday (March 24).
For details on how to access council services and what services are continuing to operate, visit www.wyndham.vic.gov.au
