Coronavirus: Parramatta Council offers ratepayers ‘hardship’ concessions
A Sydney council has offered a lifeline to ratepayers in the wake of job cuts caused by the coronavirus.
Parramatta
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Parramatta Council has offered concessions to ratepayers facing financial hardship because of coronavirus-fuelled job cuts.
In Australia, about one million jobs are expected to be gone as the coronavirus pandemic continues to cripple the economy.
The stage one shutdown included the closure of pubs, clubs, restaurants, cinemas, gyms.
At Parramatta Council’s March 23 meeting, Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer moved plans to waive fees for late rate payments and fines for ratepayers.
The council, which has 100,000 business and residential ratepayers, usually charges 7.5 per cent per annum interest on outstanding rate payments.
Cr Dwyer said slugging ratepayers with additional fees was “not on” during the pandemic and job crisis.
“As a former banker I’m very conscious of this,’’ he said.
“We just need common sense in relation to payments that can’t be made.
“I just want people and businesses to understand if they have any troubles to contact the council and they are going to be received well, and if they’re not, I want to know about it.
“We have to stick this out together.’’
Under the council’s “rates hardship policy’’, cash-strapped ratepayers can apply for assistance and eligible applicants can then enter into payment arrangements with the council.
It also plans to boost the economy by paying good and services suppliers within seven days instead of the usual 30 days.
The council is also boosting its support for the hospitality industry and work with restaurant and cafe operators to “ensure the safety of patrons”.
More measures are expected to be announced soon.
Figures from the 2018-19 financial year show 24,383 Parramatta City residents were employed in health care and social assistance, 22,944 were employed in public administration and safety while the third most popular industry was construction with 21,982 employees.
A total of 7025 worked in the hospitality industry.
At Cumberland Council, Mayor Steve Christou will propose measures to assist small businesses and ratepayers at the next meeting on April 1.
The move comes as councils have suspended several services.
CLOSURES
The move comes as the council closed more facilities because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Facilities to close include libraries, aquatic centres (Epping Aquatic, Macarthur Girls’ High School and Lake Parramatta), water playgrounds at James Ruse Reserve in Harris Park, Philip Ruddock playground at Dundas Valley and Ollie Webb Reserve at Parramatta.
Halls, community centres and meeting rooms are shut.
Centenary Square remains open to the public but the weekly Parramatta Farmers Markets, weekday programs and activities such as music performances, table tennis and food trucks, have been suspended.
Tables, chairs and children’s play equipment will not be available.
The council’s service centre and Level 12 corporate reception, at 126 Church St in Parramatta, will be closed.
Services will still be available online at cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/council/customer-contact-centre or by calling 1300 617 058.
Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Centre will be temporarily closed to the public and tourism programs will be suspended until further notice.
Parramatta and Rydalmere Artists’ Studios but are available to artists according to a strict roster.
Riverside Theatres closed on Monday March 23 but contact the box office on 8839 3399 or via email at BoxOffice_Riverside@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au.
The measures have also extended to outdoor activities including Bushcare Group meetings being suspended until May and the school holiday program being suspended.
Facilities and services that remain open are parks and reserves, early learning centres, civil works and maintenance program, waste collection and cleansing and NDIS and Social Inclusion support will be over the phone.
Cumberland Council
The council will close its swimming pools at Auburn, Granville and Merrylands, as well as its community centres, tennis court hire, community bus stop.
Childcare centres, customer service functions, waste services and street cleaning, Meals on Wheels and public toilets remain open.
Council has cancelled Citizenship Ceremonies and non-essential public gatherings.