Coronavirus: Central Coast Council calls for economic stimulus package
As we helplessly watch local businesses close across the region, Central Coast Council is calling for an economic stimulus package. The local state and federal MPS were quick to respond.
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Central Coast Mayor Lisa Matthews said the coast is looking down the barrel of “mass unemployment” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At this rate I believe we could have one person in every household unemployed,” she told the Express.
“I am afraid, we have so many mum and dad operations and small businesses that are struggling and many are closing.
“When the next stage of the lockdown comes in, what about all the hairdressers and beauty salons. And how long will the hospitality businesses survive on takeaway alone? We just don’t know what the end result is.”
At last night’s council meeting, councillors voted to call on the State and Federal Government to direct economic stimulus packages to local governments to help drive the local economy recovery.
“We are going to need help getting local businesses back on their feet,” Cr Matthews said.
“We need all governments to work hand-in-hand with councils to help the community move beyond this pandemic and prosper in the future.”
“We want to make it clear to the community that if you are having hardship tell us and we can support you,” Cr Matthews said.
Impacts of the pandemic also forced councillors to defer the exhibition of significant planning documents including the Economic Development Strategy and the Local Strategic Planning Statement, which sets out a 20 year vision for land use.
Deputy Mayor Jane Smith led the drive for deferrals, saying there was no way council could consult with the community with the current pandemic.
“Normal processes are significantly affected by coronavirus,” she said. “It is clear that it would be difficult to engage the community in this really important process.”
The deadline for the planning statement is June, however the council will seek a 12 month extension from the Department of Planning and Industries.
State and Federal MPs respond
Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Adam Crouch has responded to council’s call for an economic stimulus package, saying the State Government has a $2.3 billion stimulus package designed to protect jobs and protect the community.
“It includes a $700 million health boost, $250 million for additional cleaning of public assets and $500 million for shovel-ready infrastructure projects,” he said.
“Central Coast residents and businesses will absolutely benefit from this. The last thing the NSW Government would ever do is write a blank cheque to Central Coast Council.”
Councillors also voted in favour of helping those in hardship unable to pay rates or fines issued by council.
Robertson federal Liberal MP Lucy Wicks said $189 billion was being injected into the economy by the Federal Government in order to keep Australians in work and business in business.
“This includes $17.6 billion from the Governments first Economic Stimulus Package, $90 billion from the Reserve Bank of Australia, $15 billion from the Government to deliver easier access to finance, and $66.1 billion as part of the Economic Support Package,” she said.
“This will support a number of the 24,200 small business here on the Central Coast who are eligible.
“The Economic Support Package includes support for small and medium business, and households including casuals, sole traders, and retirees. The Government is acting to cushion the blow from coronavirus for business and households to help them get through to the other side of this crisis.”