FEE waivers and a series of other measures are planned to be implemented by Bathurst Regional Council in an effort to support the community as it wades through the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
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A mayoral minute detailing a long list of measures has been prepared and will be considered at tonight's meeting of council.
Mayor Bobby Bourke said work has been going on behind the scenes for several weeks to come up with a package that can support the community through this crisis.
"I want to thank the other councillors for their input into this mayoral minute. It's an official mayoral minute, but the other councillors have had their input put into it, too," he said.
"This is a wake-up call, this COVID-19. Council is awake and is trying to work together with the community. We are not asleep on anything, we have great staff working behind the scenes trying to do what we can.
"Us as councillors are working together more now than ever before."
Council is proposing to waive a range of fees or charges for local businesses such as cafes and restaurants, hairdressers and skin businesses, bed and breakfasts and temporary food outlets.
Changes to the current procurement policy will also be considered to provide greater opportunities for local businesses and suppliers.
Cr Bourke said there won't be a reduction in council rates for businesses and residents, however, council will be considering hardship requests from those who have been seriously impacted by COVID-19.
"Council will deal with cases of hardship due to the COVID-19 on an individual case-by-case basis," he said.
"That will be for everyone. Council will work with ratepayers and businesses to establish repayment plans. Such plans may include consideration of waiving them or deferring them, or interest penalties in the short term."
Retention of council services and staff is another key part of the plan and for that reason council is working hard to ensure the provision of vital services to the community, in particular, water, sewer, waste, finance (creditors), health and building, planning, engineering and childcare.
Cr Bourke stressed that these economic stimulus measures are just the start and council would continue to look at ways it can provide support to the community, while trying to sustain itself as a business.
At this stage, council has predicted a loss of revenue of approximately $465,000 and the initial stimulus measures that are proposed will cost $410 000, with an impact on Council's budget of almost $900,000.
This figure is expected to rise significantly as the crisis continues.
Cr Bourke said it was important for people to remember that council "is struggling, too", but it is doing what it can now to help the community through the crisis.
"Council is starting to develop something for the businesses and the ratepayers who use those businesses," he said.
"It's a thing we've been working on, and there's other things that we can do in the future, but we've just got to start here. If you don't start, you don't get to the finish.
"We don't know where the line is in this COVID-19. Is it next month? Is it January? The longer it goes the more of an effect it has on the community and on council."
The measures council has outlined will be discussed at tonight's ordinary meeting.
Members of the public will be able to watch proceedings of tonight's council meeting via its YouTube channel.
The meeting will start streaming live at approximately 6pm.
In addition to the stimulus measures, council is developing a strategy to assist businesses when the economy enters a period of recovery.
An array of shop local marketing materials and campaigns will be prepared for roll out at the appropriate time.
The recovery period will include, but is not limited to, an expanded Bathurst Jobs Expo to assist with employment, expanded BizMonth program, extensive promotion of the Buy Local Gift Card, and a revamped Business Leaders Lunch.