$2.5m package to boost coronavirus recovery
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Published on 12 May 2020
Grants, jobs, fee waivers and infrastructure projects form the basis of Corangamite Shire Council’s $2.5 million coronavirus recovery plan.
Council yesterday included the COVID-19 Economic Stimulus and Support Package in its 2020-2021 Draft Budget. Mayor Neil Trotter said the coronavirus pandemic was one of the Shire’s biggest challenges in recent times.
“Businesses have closed, people’s lives have been massively disrupted by restrictions on how they can go about their daily lives. Council needs to be responsive to our resident’s needs,” Cr Trotter said.
“On the one hand we need to be empathetic and help the community come back from these unprecedented circumstances; on the other we need to remain financially responsible.”
Cr Trotter said the stimulus package was aimed at lessening the burden on the community and stimulating the local economy.
“The State and Federal Governments have a range of support packages in place, which we encourage people to make the most of, but our goal is to provide localised support to residents, local businesses and ratepayers.
“This package is designed to stimulate the local economy through job creation, grant programs, fee waivers, marketing, promotion, welfare support and social connectivity.”
A major component of the package is creation of up to 45 short-term jobs at the Council. The positions will be funded by $1.4 million from Council and $2.3 million from the Victorian Government’s Working for Victoria fund.
The $500 million Working for Victoria initiative assists businesses to employ Victorian jobseekers, including people who have lost their jobs as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19), in roles that support our community. Further details on these new short term positions will be announced in the coming weeks.
“This is really good initiative by the State Government, and we thank them for this significant funding which will directly benefit people who have lost their income because of the pandemic.
“The positions will be focused around short term projects and COVID-19 business and community support roles.
“This will get Shire residents earning again and provide flow-on effects for the Shire economy.
“Anyone who is looking for employment opportunities will need to be registered with Working for Victoria initiative first, so they should sign up as soon as possible.
Cr Trotter said Council would put the local economy first, whenever possible, when procuring goods and services.
“We already have a policy that emphasises supporting local businesses when undertaking public tenders,” Cr Trotter said. “For the life of this stimulus package, Council Officers will give added weight to supporting local suppliers, contractors and services, in all purchasing.”
The $2.5 million fund combined with the proposed 0% rate increase and $2.3 million Working for Victoria program will provide a COVID-19 economic response for our community of up $5.2 million in 2020-2021, representing around 10% of Council’s budget.
Details of the individuals programs will be released progressively over the coming weeks and months. Some, focussed around small business support and recovery, will start immediately. Projects that are dependent on the weather may start later in the year.
The package comprises:
Fee Waivers:.................................... $400,000 Employment:.................................... $1.4 million + $2.3 million from the Victorian Government Infrastructure:................................. $330,000 Small business funding:................. $180,000 Marketing and promotion:............. $50,000 (shop local and domestic tourism campaigns) Community events/activities:........ $50,000 Community groups and volunteer support: .......................... $25,000 Grants to local charities:................ $25,000 Procurement:................................... priority purchase from local business