Business-specific COVID-19 relief and recovery

At the Council meeting last night (Monday 27 April), AlburyCity Councillors decided to implement a range of measures to assist our community.

We have compiled a summary of the immediate relief and support relevant to businesses below:

Regular business updates via the Albury Business Newsletter including government support availableOne-on-one appointments with our Economic Development team to discuss the Local, State and Federal Government assistance available. Bookings hereOur revenue team are providing personal service to those members of the community requesting advice/guidance and assistance to transition to payment plans.Restaurants automatically authorised to transition to takeaway operations during period of closure.No new debt recovery action to be taken on overdue rates and water notices from 1 April to 1 October 2020Refund the $77 per chair for outdoor dining for the period 1 April – 30 June 2020Defer payments due on commercial lease/licences (Council premises) for the period 1 April – 1 October, with 0% interest applied to late payment, on requestApply the Mandatory Code of Conduct – SME Commercial Leasing Principles during COVID-19, subject to adoption by the NSW GovernmentRefund development application fees where Development Applications submitted from 1 January 2020 are withdrawn due to COVID-19.

In addition to the above, Council endorsed the draft budget for community consultation which included the following proposed measures for the 2020/21 financial year:

Decrease of $40 per property to Domestic Waste Charges for 2020/21Major investments in sports and community facilities, to help prime the local economy, create jobs and stimulate economy recoveryZero increase to water and waste water charges 2020/21Zero increase to Waste Management Centre chargesZero increase in all existing non-statutory fees and charges0% interest applied to overdue rates from 1 April to 1 October 2020, on requestApply $0 per chair fee for Outdoor Dining in 2020/21VisitAlburyWodonga Destination Marketing Activation Program

This draft budget provides help to our community to deal with the immediate pressures of the COVID-19 crisis while focusing strongly on building an even better city in the “new normal” once the emergency is over.

The Draft Budget will be on public display on our website from Friday for a 28 day period and community members are invited to provide their feedback.

We look forward to working with our business community over the coming months.