by Michaela Meade
Whittlesea council will incur a revenue loss of more than $450,000 in the 2021-22 financial year as part of its COVID-19 pandemic response actions.
The council’s pandemic response actions are in addition to a $2 million Community Recovery Action Plan, aimed at getting the municipality back on track following repeated lockdowns and outbreaks.
In a report to council presented at last week’s council meeting, officers outlined fee waivers for council to adopt as part of its recovery actions.
These waivers included reducing registration renewal fees for 1276 businesses by 50 per cent, aquatic facilities inspection fees, registration fees of sporting clubs; and fees for outdoor dining and footpath trade permits.
According to the report, council will also extend outdoor dining to neighbouring properties footpaths to June 30, 2022, pending neighbouring business owner’s permission, and waive any associated fee, cover the cost of public liability insurances for businesses expanding their trade onto footpaths, and engage with and support privately owned shopping centres to temporarily expand footpath trading and outdoor dining in communal spaces or car parks.
Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the council had shown leadership, and positive and proactive support for the community.
“It’s obviously, in a way, uncharted territory, with many different approaches that have been taken by councils right across the state,” Ms Wilson said.
“I wanted to note how very proud I am, and I know the administrators are as a panel, in relation to the incredible work that council officers have displayed.
“Not only have [they] had to adapt the way that we provide our services, but they’ve actively sought funding from government and every possible source for community and economic development programs.”
The council waivers are on top of previous waivers from the 2020-21 financial year and the start of the pandemic, which saw council lose $623,082, according to the report.
