BUSINESSES and sporting groups will be some of the biggest beneficiaries of the economic stimulus measures proposed by Bathurst Regional Council this week.
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The document considered by council on Wednesday details a number of actions to be taken by council to provide assistance.
The predicted loss of revenue and initial stimulus measures will have an almost $900,000 impact on council.
Council plans to waive maintenance fees for eight sporting groups, which total close to $54,000.
These fee waivers would save groups between $1057 and $14,198 and will apply to Bathurst Rugby Club, Bathurst Panthers RLFC, Bathurst Netball Association, Bathurst Bushrangers ARFC, Bathurst Giants ARFC, Bathurst District Football, Bathurst Hockey Association and St Pat's RLFC.
They were selected as they have not been able to commence their seasons due to the pandemic.
For businesses, council plans to waive the following fees for the period of March 1 to December 31, 2020:
- User fees and charges outdoor dining fees
- Health inspection fees for food/general
- Health inspection fees for skin/hairdressing
- Health inspection fees for bed and breakfast
- Health inspection fees for temporary/mobile food outlets
- Trade waste inspection charges
The Health Inspection Fees Food Act annual administration fee will also be waived for the period of July 1 to December 31, 2020.
The mayoral minute notes the impact the pandemic has had on the tourism sector.
"The tourism sector has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic," the document reads.
"Simple examples of this are the recent cancellations of the Toyo High and Seiritsu High School visits from Japan. The estimated economic impact of these two groups not visiting Bathurst is $148,000."
Tourism partners might benefit from other fee waivers, but council will also waive the annual membership fees for the Tourism Partnership Program for the 2020-21 financial year.
Changes to the procurement policy would also be implemented to provide greater opportunities for local businesses and suppliers.
Council currently has in place a local procurement policy weighting of five per cent, but this will be amended to 10 per cent until June 30, 2021.
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Actions would also be taken to help the building and construction industry.
Among these is a 50 per cent reduction to development application fees, development application modification fees, subdivision application fees, development application subdivision release fees, development application advertising fees, Section 68 approvals fees, and Section 68 approval to operate fees.
These reductions are to apply for the 2020-21 financial year.
A resolution on these and other measures is proposed to be passed at the May ordinary council meeting. The document can be viewed on council's website.
