Free big bins, tip vouchers, rates rebates and business relief start tomorrow: Council
A raft of measures unveiled by Brisbane City Council to help residents feeling the pressure of the coronavirus recession are about to come into effect. SEE HOW YOU CAN SAVE.
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COST-OF-LIVING relief is on the way for over half a million Brisbane residents and businesses as new measures are introduced for the start of the financial year tomorrow.
Brisbane City Council will begin sending out tip vouchers to households, including tenanted properties for the first time, while owner-occupiers on JobSeeker will also receive a one-off $250 rates rebate.
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Free recycling bins are also being spruiked as part of the relief package.
It comes as residential rates are set to be frozen and a range of business fees waived for the rest of 2020.
Despite the measures, the Labor opposition has slammed the LNP administration as having “run out of ideas.”
City Planning and Economic Development Chair Councillor Krista Adams said the measures would be brought in despite coronavirus opening up an unprecedented $140 million blackhole in council’s finances.
“The economic impacts of coronavirus have been like nothing we have ever experienced before, including the GFC and the 2011 floods,” Cr Adams said.
“Despite this loss of revenue, we recognise the pain people are feeling from coronavirus isn’t over, so we are committed to providing financial relief to the people who need it most,” she said.
Cr Adams said reducing pressures on households and businesses was a key aim of current council strategy.
“Traditionally, July 1 would mean increases in everything from rates to business fees and charges, but that is not the case this year,” she said.
Among the biggest beneficiaries will be small businesses, which would see charges on footpath and outdoor dining, food safety permits, commercial river moorings, advertising, temporary food stalls, commercial lease rents, commercial stalls, booths, and stands waived.
July 1 would also mark when over 192,000 tenanted properties would receive waste vouchers for the first time, with another 298,000 to be sent to owner-occupiers.
Free upgrades to larger-size recycling and green waste bins would also be made available from tomorrow.
Labor opposition leader councillor Jared Cassidy however said the plans didn’t offer enough relief for struggling residents.
“This is simply a rehash of the LNP’s tinkering around the edges from a budget of missed opportunities,” Cr Cassidy said.
“One week on from the budget and this LNP administration has run out of ideas already.”