KINGSTON Council has ticked off a care package for people affected by the fallout from COVID-19.
One of the key measures in the support package is a deferral of rate payments until 30 June 2021 by application. Those applications will be considered “in accordance with council’s hardship policy”.
Council will also waive unpaid interest on overdue rates from 2019/2020, and will not collect interest on overdue rates until after 30 June next year. Rent will also be waived for community and sporting clubs for a year, and the parent portion of childcare fees “where necessitous circumstances apply” will not be collected. Current year Health and Food Premises registration and Footpath Trading permit fees will be refunded.
The mayor Georgina Oxley said “there are many people and businesses in our community doing it really tough right now and it is important that council finds a way to help reduce that financial pressure.”
“For those in our community struggling to pay their rates, we will defer payments to 30 June 2021 under our hardship policy,” Cr Oxley said. “We will also be waiving the family contribution to childcare fees for disadvantaged families, handing back food business registration fees and footpath trading fees plus halting community and sports clubs rents for 12 months.
“Many local businesses and vulnerable families have been severely impacted by this crisis, hopefully this assistance package can make a positive difference.”
The animal registration payment date has also been extended until 30 June.
Council says the support package is worth $2.8 million. It was approved at a special meeting of council on 30 March.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 1 April 2020