Moreton Bay Council has approved a $15 million local stimulus package

Moreton Bay Council approves a $15 million stimulus package to help combat impacts of the coronavirus with more to come.

Strathpine chamber. Moreton Bay Council special meeting to consider a coronavirus financial stimulus package.

ELIGIBLE households in Moreton Bay will get some rate relief under a $15 million council stimulus package.

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It was one of several initiatives approved be the outgoing council at a special meeting yesterday.

Property owners who are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to pay council rates and charges due to the impacts of the coronavirus can apply for a $100 rebate.

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It covers the two rating periods between March 1 to June 30, and July 1 to September 30.

Evidence must be provided to support the application and only one rebate of $100 will be provided to each eligible property, for each applicable rating period.

The council defines “Financial Hardship” as a ratepayer getting the Coronavirus Supplement from Centrelink at the time of application.

There is also $5 million in grants available for community groups and clubs to help them respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus.

To help keep people employed on local projects, $2 million has been allocated for an accelerated asset maintenance program.

Caboolture chamber. Moreton Bay Council special meeting to consider a coronavirus financial stimulus package.

There is a large amount of asset maintenance work that could be brought forward immediately in order to stimulate the local economy, and some of that work will be brought forward over the next two quarters.

Preference would be given to local suppliers in completing this work, though the council was expected to use its existing arrangements in terms of contractors.

The council will also offer refunds on food licencing fees to local restaurants and cafes for up to six months, to provide relief to those businesses who have had to cease operations or change to takeaway offerings only.

Other community and commercial leases would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

To help to increase cash flow in the community, the council would also start two payment runs per week to local businesses and suppliers, and has doubled the payment terms for contractors and tradies who use council services from 30 days to 60 days.

It was made clear at the start of the meeting to the remaining 11 councillors — that are not suspended and facing criminal charges — that any conflicts of interest would not matter as it was deemed an Operational matter.

Despite there being just a few days until the election, when a new council would be voted in, the council was recalled under Section 258 of the Local Government Regulation Act 2012 to vote on the stimulus package.

The new council was expected to bring in more stimulus measures as the virus situation evolved in the future.