Largest Ever Economic Package Ratified by Council Supporting Our City

An economic package valued at $55M, proposed through a Lord Mayoral Minute, has been unanimously approved by Elected Members at the Ordinary Council Meeting tonight. The package aims to provide wide-ranging economic support to local households and businesses during the COVID-19 response, including:

Allocating more than $1M for a ‘Green Army’ – providing casual employment opportunities to beautify and green our city through the planting of thousands of trees, tending verges and cleaning footpaths to June 30, 2020 Deferral of business and household rates to 30 June 2020 Rent relief for tenants leasing Council properties to June 30, 2020 Expansion of the current rate hardship policy to include ratepayers affected by COVID-19 Waiving of all Council permit charges, fees and levies to 30 June, 2020 providing  free on street parking in the CBD waiving of animal registration fees waiving of advertising signage levies and street food van permit fees Night time security patrols in the CBD jointly funded with the Northern Territory Government Community grant funding opportunities for the not-for-profit sector to June 30 2020 and in the 2020/21 financial year Funding allocated to major infrastructure projects to commence after the COVID-19 crisis.

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said Council had shown great vision and commitment to the community by supporting the largest ever economic package to come before them.   “Through this package Council will be providing economic relief and support to Darwin households and businesses, now and post COVID-19.”   “Council recognises households and businesses are hurting right now and that we needed to take immediate action.”   “This package provides support now and post COVID-19, with a number of major projects earmarked for investment.”    “These projects will be ready to commence after this crisis and we will be asking both the Federal and Northern Territory Government to support these.”   Details on casual employment opportunities to join Council’s 'Green Team' will be available from Tuesday 14 April, through City of Darwin’s website and Facebook.   During the COVID-19 response contact City of Darwin: E/ [email protected] T/ 8930 0300. Telephones will be operating 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday, except public holidays. W/ www.darwin.nt.gov.au For further information on City of Darwin’s response to COVID-19 go to - https://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/covid-19