COUNCILLORS have praised the economic stimulus measures senior council staff developed to help the community during the coronavirus pandemic.
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A mayoral minute was presented to Wednesday's Bathurst Regional Council meeting, the 16-page document, which was passed, detailing the measures to ease financial pressure for businesses and ratepayers.
Council has predicted a loss of revenue of approximately $465,000 and the initial stimulus measures will cost $410,000, with an impact on council's budget of almost $900,000.
It will put council in a difficult position, but the councillors acknowledge that these measures will set up the city to recover from the economic effects of the health crisis.
Deputy mayor Ian North has had regular conversations with the mayor, council staff, and member for Bathurst Paul Toole to see what can be done to support the community.
He said the document that was presented last night was an excellent start.
"I'm really pleased that the mayor sat down with the general manager and our senior staff and listened to a lot of councillors, really put some thought into this and I think it's a great starting document," he said.
"I made that clear, a starting document, because I think as time develops and you get more understanding of the impact, we can look at trying to see what else we can do to move forward."
He hopes councillors can be provided with monthly updates, similar to the mayoral minute, with more measures to further help the city recover.
Councillor John Fry was also supportive of the economic stimulus measures, saying the document was proof that council "are really proactive, we're doing what we can within reason".
"It sets us up pretty well and the next six to 12 months are going to be pretty demanding on everyone and I think this puts us in a good position to be able to cope with the coming storm," he said.
Also taking confidence in the measures is Cr Warren Aubin, who expects Bathurst will be in a strong position when the threat of coronavirus fades.
However, he said residents had to understand that council rates will continue to be levied and legally could not be reduced or waived.
On top of that, council relies on rates to deliver essential services to the community.
"If the state government steps up and says 'We will reimburse you for waiving rates', then we could look at it, but if council were to waive rates we would go broke," Cr Aubin said.
Council will consider hardship due to COVID-19 on a case-by-case basis.
