Second extension for rate payments as part of COVID-19 support

Second extension for rate payments as part of COVID-19 support

Published on 09 July 2020

Mildura Rural City Council has extended the deadline for fourth quarter rate payments by another three months to support people experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19.

The decision follows the initial deadline extension from 30 May to 30 June earlier this year. The deadline extension was among numerous, COVID-19 hardship provisions Council introduced, including flexible rate payment plans, waiving interest and not applying late fees on overdue rates for fourth quarter instalments.

It means residents registered for Financial Hardship due to COVID-19 have until 30 September to pay their rates. To date more than 150 ratepayers have registered.

Anyone experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 is encouraged to register with Council as soon as possible by completing a simple form online at www.mildura.vic.gov.au/coronavirus or call (03) 5018 8100.

Mildura Mayor Simon Clemence said the extension was part of a comprehensive suite of measures Council had implemented to support the community throughout the pandemic and as we begin to look to recover.

Some of these include:

Community Relief Service A dedicated team has offered support, information and referral services to residents and businesses impacted by COVID-19. More than 140 people have been linked up with existing community services to receive ongoing support and more than 400 food parcels delivered locally.

Business sector support Fees for outdoor dining, a-frame and footpath display permits were waived for the last four months of the 19/20 Financial Year and extended for two months to support 204 local retail and hospitality businesses. Discounts were also introduced for commercial tenants renting Council property or facilities.

Commitment to civil construction sector Council made an active commitment to ensure existing and planned civil construction projects in the municipality continue given the significant role they play in the local economy as a source of jobs and economic stimulus.

Adapting Council services Teams across the organisation developed innovative alternatives to services affected by COVID-19 restrictions, ensuring the community continued to be supported. Examples include:

Virtual exhibitions and tours and live streamed music events from Mildura Arts Centre Stay At Home Storytime sessions presented online by our LIbraries One-on-one home exercise programs for Aged and Disability Services clients Live streaming of Council meetings Home delivery service for Mildura Rural City Council Libraries members Maternal and Child Health appointments conducted via phone and video-link and introduction of a mobile baby weigh-in service

Priority flu vaccine clinics Council provided a series of free community flu vaccine clinics for people aged 65 and over, pregnant women and children aged from six months to under five-years-old. More than 700 residents were immunised as part of this program during May.

$1.5 million Community Recovery Fund Council’s 2020-21 Draft Budget proposes a $1.5 million Community Recovery Fund, which would be used to provide targeted support to help our community recover from the economic and social effects of COVID-19. 

These are just a selection of the measures Council has implemented to support the community through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cr Clemence said Council would continue to look at where support was needed in the community.

“We’re certainly conscious that many residents in our community continue to do it tough as a result of the pandemic, and that further ongoing support will be needed for many months to come,” he said.

“In addition to the measures we already have in place, including the proposed $1.5 million Community Recovery Fund, our teams will continue to work with other local agencies to develop a comprehensive recovery plan that considers both the social and economic recovery of our community.”

ENDS