Kempsey Shire Council provides rates assistance for residents facing hardship due to COVID-19

Four councillors were in the council chambers and adhering to social distancing restrictions, while five councillors joined the meeting remotely.

COVID-19 was one of the main topics discussed at the meeting, with all councillors voting unanimously to introduce relief packages to provide financial assistance to residents and local businesses.

Council's actions to help ratepayers are deliberately timed to reach out to the community as they receive a rates reminder notice that is required to be sent by law.

Council will waive interest on outstanding rates for the period to October 31 2020 where the ratepayer can demonstrate they suffered financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 impacts, council will encourage local procurement to help support businesses and suspend debt recovery action for up to six months.

Kempsey Shire Mayor Liz Campbell said council wanted to help residents and businesses.

"Our community is doing so well, doing everything that's asked of them and more in terms of preventing the spread of the virus, but some residents and businesses are really hurting, and Council can help," Cr Campbell said.

"Many residents have recently received their fourth installment rates reminder notice, as required by state legislation. As such this was an ideal time for council, recognising that there will be ratepayers facing challenging financial circumstances, to reach out and expand our financial hardship provisions."

Councillors discussed the motion at length during Tuesday's meeting, with all councillors agreeing to help support the community through this unprecedented time.

"I would like to applaud the wonderful initiative of increasing the local preference purchasing procedure from five per cent to 10 per cent. This will give local businesses a much-needed advantage and will help businesses in our valley come out of this crisis," Councillor Mark Baxter said.

Council will also advocate to both the Federal and State Government to provide local government with financial assistance packages to enable council to continue to operate effectively and provide essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The council staff have put this into motion, it's a way forward for the community," Councillor Dean Saul said.

Councillor Leo Hauville spoke in favour of the motion and said council and the community are facing an unprecedented time.

"We have a long road ahead of us. Due to COVID-19 we are facing a high unemployment rate and the recovery will take longer than it did falling into it," he said.

"This is an action we can take so council can continue to operate as strong as possible."

In addition to the existing moratorium on outdoor dining fees, council has taken further steps to help local businesses, by increasing the allowances given for use of local suppliers. Council will also provide rental relief for commercial business tenants and not for profit groups within council owned facilities and waive other council related fees for not-for-profit, small business or community groups if COVID related financial hardship can be established.

Mayor Liz Campbell also thanked staff and locals during the meeting for working to keep the community safe during the pandemic.

"I commend the NSW and Federal Government for their leadership in managing the pandemic. It's also important to recognise council staff and to thank the community for doing what has been asked," she said.

Those seeking to apply for hardship relief can find information and the relevant form at council's website www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au/rates

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