Adelaide City Council offers free rent to help traders, clubs
Free rent for three months, cutting a levy and improving parking are among ways Adelaide City Council will help businesses struggling with the impacts of coronavirus.
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Adelaide City Council has announced a $4 million support package for traders and community groups – which includes free rent in its buildings – to cope with the economic impacts of COVID-19.
At a special meeting on Monday night, elected members agreed to give Adelaide Central Market traders and businesses in council-owned buildings three months free rent.
Community groups leasing council-owned properties, like sporting groups or schools with clubrooms on the parklands, would also get three months rent.
Rundle Mall traders would not have to pay a separate marketing and management levy for three months under the decision.
Cr Robert Simms said the council was showing leadership in a time of crisis.
“I am hopeful other building owners in the city (will) look at what council is doing and, if they are in a position to do so, provide relief to their tenants,” Cr Simms said.
“People are struggling, businesses are struggling and have been devastated by what is happening, so we have to do what we can to help.”
Deputy Lord Mayor Alexander Hyde supported the package because it would help traders keep their doors open, now and into recovery efforts.
The council would also make the city more accessible by improving street parking regulations and deferring rate payments under hardship provisions.
It would also establish a Small Business Task Force with Business SA and other agencies to support local traders.
Cr Philip Martin supported most of the package, but had reservations about how the money was being handed out, calling it a “blunt instrument”.
He said only businesses with clear cash flow issues should receive a hand out.
“We are robbing the ratepayers to give to the poor and the rich, to me it seems to be ill-considered,” Cr Martin said.
Cr Anne Moran also was supportive of most of the initiative, but thought the package lacked clarity.
“We are shooting all our ammo in one swoop, often to people who don’t need help … it is a foolish thing,” Cr Moran said.
Adelaide chief executive Mark Goldstone said he would come back to the council to find savings in other areas.