City of Fremantle support for local businesses

Free on-street parking and up to six months deferral of rent payments on City-owned properties are some of the measures the City of Fremantle has put in place to help businesses through the COVID-19 crisis.

The City will also defer all statutory fees for six months and has waived alfresco dining fees.

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said the business relief measures were designed to supplement the COVID-19 support already being offered by the state and federal governments.

“This is clearly a very difficult time for local businesses, with many of them restricted to online or take-away trade and others choosing to close down altogether,” Mayor Pettitt said.

“The City has taken steps to take some of the pressure off local businesses by deferring rent payments for tenants of City-owned properties and deferring or waiving a number of fees and charges for other businesses.

“We will also negotiate with City tenants on a case-by-case basis to make adjustments to outgoings like power and water, and we will offer individual payment plans on council rates to those who are experiencing financial hardship.

“I expect we will be making further announcements about rates in the coming days.”

Mayor Pettitt said the free on-street parking would apply until the end of June and may be extended beyond that if necessary.

“Time limits will still apply but this will at least make it easier for businesses and residents to access our key retail areas and support those businesses that are still trading in these challenging times,” he said. 

The City of Fremantle, as part of its Small Business Capacity Building Program, has partnered with Business Foundations to deliver complimentary one-on-one advisory sessions to provide information about the federal and state stimulus packages.

A complete list of the state and federal support measures is available through the Grant Guru portal on the City’s website.

Business Foundations can offer the service online, over the phone or face-to-face if required. Advisors will spend an hour with each business providing tailored advice.

To register for a session, which is provided free of charge through the City’s Small Business Capacity Building Program, businesses simply need complete a registration form, select COVID-19 Federal Stimulus Advisory and email to [email protected].

Immediate business support measures at a glance:

Free on-street parking in Fremantle for the next three months (posted time limits still apply).Up to six months deferral of rent payment on City-owned properties from the time of full or partial closure of the business.Waiving of all alfresco dining fees.A full refund on all cancelled bookings of City facilities.Free access to business support advisory services via the Small Business Capacity Building Program and complimentary one-on-one advisory sessions to provide information about the federal and state stimulus packages.Inspection fees waived for food businesses providing take-away.Exemptions from planning approvals for many changes of land use and fast tracking other approvals for business.Fast-tracking of payment for creditors.Continuing to invest in major capital works program in Fremantle including the Kings Square renewal project.Promotion of businesses via the City’s Visit Fremantle social media platforms and website.