Ashburton Council extend COVID-19 assistance

Ashburton Councillors agreed to establish a Community COVID-19 Relief Working Group as a further means of assisting the community through hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shire of Ashburton President Kerry White acknowledged that Ashburton is in a unique position to be able to provide a high level of financial assistance to the local business and is pleased the local community was able to benefit from that.

“Today Council resolved to support both the Onslow Sports Club and Mountain View Sporting Club in Tom Price by making up to $200,000 available so that the clubs can return to full operational status”, said Councillor White.

“Council recognise that having a thriving sporting and social hub in our towns in paramount to creating vibrant communities that flourish and grow.

“Both the Onslow Sports Club and Mountain View Sporting Club are central hubs for our communities, offering valued sporting facilities and amenities, as well as a venue for local families to meet and socialise, that are run by members and volunteers.

“Having suffered great financial hardship due to the restrictions put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19, with no income streams and high operating costs and debts, both of these clubs were faced with the real prospect of not reopening.

“Through the Community COVID-19 Relief Working Group, Council and Shire staff will follow terms of reference to support other local sporting clubs and associations with a view to reignite the community as continued easing of restrictions are rolled out.

“In April we endorsed $1.5M COVID-19 relief package and opened up submissions for a COVID-19 Small Business and Community Grants Fund. This has since been reinforced by our long-term Community Infrastructure and Services Partner Rio Tinto with an additional $1M contribution and our Working Together for Onslow partner, Chevron, have made $1m available to the Chevron Onslow Relief Fund.

“Along with our fellow Local Governments we have held rates for 2020/21 and are deferring rates notices until November while adding more flexible payment arrangements with no special fees and interest charges along with rent relief on leases to small businesses, community groups and clubs.

“More information on the Community COVID-19 Relief Working Group will be made available in the coming weeks”.

The Small Business and Community Grants expression of interest is available on the Shire of Ashburton website and anyone with queries on eligibility for specific assistance measures can get in touch by calling 08 9188 4444 or emailing [email protected].

Stay up to date on our website, and through Facebook by following both Shire of Ashburton page and Ashburton Community COVID-19 Info page.

For media information contact:

Alison Lennon - Manager Media and Communications, Shire of Ashburton

M: 0409 314 140 | E: [email protected]

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