COUNCILLORS have welcomed the latest COVID-19 stimulus measures developed by Bathurst Regional Council to support community groups.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The latest mayoral minute, presented to the September ordinary meeting, included about $35,000 in fee waivers for summer sporting groups, $10,000 for the Bathurst District Sport and Recreational Council (BDS&RC) and $10,000 for Arts OutWest (see below).
The stimulus measures were adopted unanimously, with councillors commenting on how significant they were.
"I think we're very fortunate in Bathurst that we have managed to survive without the COVID restrictions that they do in a lot of places, but nonetheless people are feeling the pinch now," councillor Monica Morse said.
ALSO MAKING NEWS:
"There are sporting groups listed [in the mayoral minute], they don't have their sport, the artists and the musicians don't have the opportunities, so what council is doing is really, really very special for the community.
"I think we have done a fantastic job in being seen to support, not just the whole community, but the mental health of the community."
Deputy mayor Ian North said the money for the BDS&RC in particular was "going to go a long way" as volunteers have had to step up their efforts to keep sport safe in COVID times.
Cr Warren Aubin noted how significant these and other stimulus measures were, given that council itself has received little in the way of help from higher levels of government.
General manager David Sherley said that the stimulus received so far includes around $1.25 million from the Federal Government's infrastructure program, $213,000 from the NSW Government to deal with the impacts on childcare services, and a further $166,519 from the state government for the new pound.
"Council has really gone out on a limb to actually do our own stimulus packages because it actually looks like we are giving out more than we are receiving," Cr Aubin said.
The new stimulus package is the fourth from council since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.
The financial impact to council as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is so far estimated at $4.1 million although savings have been identified in the budget to help fund the losses.
What do you think?
- Why not write us a letter to the editor ...