Council passes COVID-19 financial relief measures

In a Special Meeting held this afternoon, Lockyer Valley Regional Council has passed a range of financial measures to assist the region through the COVID-19 crisis.

Lockyer Valley Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said Council understood the extensive impact this pandemic is having throughout our community and believed immediate implementation of a range of relief measures would provide some much-needed assistance to the local community.

In addition to the Federal and State government stimulus packages, Council has an important role to play in these circumstances given our existing relationships with the local business community, she said.Mayor Milligan said she was pleased one of the first actions of the newly-elected Councillors was to pass these measures in support of the community.Finance Portfolio Cr Chris Wilson said Council was committed to providing as much assistance to the Lockyer Valley as possible as the COVID-19 situation continues to develop.This is why we have moved to pass our Hardship Policy today, as well as a range of financial relief and economic support measures to provide immediate and medium-term support to the Lockyer Valley community and business owners impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, Cr Wilson said.The Hardship Policy provides a consistent framework for financial relief and is supported by additional measures, including:

• Reviewing payment plans for ratepayers and debtors on a case-by-case basis with all payment plans to be reviewed by July 2020 to check suitability; and
• All external debt collection processes be placed on hold until 30 June 2020 to be reviewed in July 2020 and new sale of land auction processes to be deferred until January 2021; and
• Interest on overdue rates and charges and sundry debtors to be placed on hold from 1 March 2020 until 30 June 2020. To be re-assessed through the 2020-21 budget; and
• Extend the due date for licence renewals for food businesses to 30 September 2021 while still ensuring appropriate inspections and risk management of premises.

Future initiatives will be investigated and considered as part of Council's 2020-21 Budget processes, including:

• reviewing Rates, charges and fees
• extended due dates and overdue interest applications,
• the community grants program and budget initiatives
• projects with a focus on job creation, and
• increased local employment contract opportunities.

Council will continue to consider a range of options that complement Commonwealth and State Government support packages to ensure we're playing our part too, Cr Wilson said.For further information, contact Council on 1300 005 872.