A variety of registration, permit and inspection fees will be waived by Whittlesea council this year in a bid to help the community recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council’s chair administrator, Lydia Wilson, said the fee waiver formed part of a series of supports implemented over the past two years and would help support local organisations and businesses who had lost income due to the pandemic.
“Council has carefully thought through creative ways to support our community during the past two years,” she said.
“We have provided a $900,000 Emergency Relief Fund and developed a $2 million Community Recovery Action Plan,” she said.
“Work is ongoing right across council as we are acutely aware that the impacts of the pandemic are still being widely felt.”
Ms Wilson said council had a role to play in showing positive leadership.
“By deciding to waive a series of fees, we acknowledge that we can play a significant role in helping ease the burden on our community.”
The following fees will be either subsidised or waived:
– 2021-22 registration renewal fees by 50 per cent of 1276 local businesses registered under the Food Act 1984 and the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 that have been impacted by the state government COVID-19 restrictions during 2020;
– 2021-22 fees for the Inspection of Aquatic Facilities, as scheduled under the Environment Protection Act 2018;
– 2021-22 registration fees of sporting clubs by 50 per cent;
– 2021-22 fees for outdoor dining and footpath trade permits, as scheduled in council’s current fees and charges;
– Extend outdoor dining to neighbouring properties footpaths to June 30, pending neighbouring business owner’s permission, and waive any Local Law fee associated with an extension of trade;
– Cover the cost of public liability insurance for businesses expanding their trade onto the footpath and extension of trade to neighbouring properties footpath; and
– Engage with and support privately owned shopping centres to temporarily expand footpath trading and/or outdoor dining in communal spaces or car parks.
