Mayor Calls for Stimulus Package for Local Government and Communities during COVID-19 Pandemic

20 May 2020 4:29 PM -

Council has endorsed a Mayoral Minute that calls on the Federal and NSW Governments to continue their financial support and provide stimulus packages to local government and local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Leeton Shire was already suffering the consequences of the drought when this pandemic struck, adding to the struggles being faced by many families and local businesses. We need support to get the economy back on track,” said Council’s Mayor Paul Maytom.

“Council commends the NSW and Federal Governments on their stewardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Council particularly commends the NSW Government on its recently announced Job Retention Allowance for local government, payment of the Emergency Services Levy, enhanced access to T-Corp’s borrowing facility, and its support of Council-run childcare centres.”

However, Mayor Maytom expressed concern about the difficulty in accessing the announced government support programs.

“The detail of how to access the support has been slow coming out and the current eligibility criteria are unrealistic – but the Minister of Local Government has assured us the details will be announced soon,” said Mayor Maytom.

“For example, Council understands it is only able to apply for the Job Retention Scheme if it has experienced a 30% drop in own source revenue overall.  Our issues are more at the individual service level and we are hoping the criteria will be more flexible to accommodate this.”

Whilst it is too early to assess the full extent of long-term revenue and cost impacts to Council, Councillors agreed to call upon the State and Federal Governments to implement the following key measures:

• Increased Financial Assistance Grants payments to 1% of federal tax income in a non-COVID-19 year to help councils maintain essential functions and services, acknowledging the increased costs and mounting revenue losses arising from COVID-19 (on top of drought, flood and bushfire impacts for many) as well as giving councils capacity to provide hardship assistance to businesses and residents who qualify.

• Increased access to TAFE, VET and other apprenticeship opportunities for community and Council staff to address skill shortages.

• Additional funding for programs such as the Roads to Recovery Program, Bridges
Renewal and Road Safety Blackspots Programs, and the Stronger Country Communities Programs.

• Support, including financial support, to community-led resilience and recovery efforts such as Leeton Connects with Kindness and the Leeton Business Network.

• Urgent access to the Childcare Support announced and for the Job Retention Scheme eligibility criteria to be applied at the individual service level, not whole of Council.

While calling for assistance for local government, Mayor Maytom said Council’s main priority remains supporting our local businesses and local community through the pandemic. 

“Council staff are actively finding opportunities to ensure our major employment creating industries in Leeton are secure in the short term, and we are collaborating with the likes of the Business Chamber, BEC and others to ensure small businesses are able to access all the recovery opportunities on offer from state and federal government.”

“As always, we also encourage our Leeton Shire community to assist by shopping locally.”