Palmerston council business support package may include rate relief

PALMERSTON Council is working on a business support package that could include rate relief for businesses in the satellite city

Palmerston Council is considering a business support package that could include rate relief for businesses in the satellite city. Picture: Keri Megelus

PALMERSTON Council is working on a business support package that could include rate relief for businesses in the satellite city.

But in the meantime, councillors will focus on moving essential services online and consider putting a hold on public consultation relating to the Marlow Lagoon dog park.

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At a meeting on Tuesday night, councillors will consider delaying consultation on adding different user-areas and infrastructure at the facility, until it could be conducted in a more suitable manner.

Mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell said while the dog park remained open, there was a recommendation on the table to suspend community consultation for the time being.

“That’s a good decision, we can get out and talk to users of the dog parks when the time is right,” she said.

“Even though the dog park is still open, we will have consultation when we are able to have more meaningful talks with the public.”

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Ms Pascoe-Bell said coronavirus had changed the way residents accessed systems such as the library.

“It’s very important for members of the community to be able to continue using the library and our services, especially because of the isolation … some have been available for a while now but I guess they are probably more relevant now,” she said. The council is also maintaining the Sports Drop-In program but it will now be done as an outreach program where young people can maintain contact with mentors and have access to more activities such as arts and crafts.

However, few changes had been made to staff and operations.

“We have been keeping all our staff on board, some are redeployed into other areas where there has been increase in demand for bigger types of services,” Ms Pascoe-Bell said.

“It’s good to see we’re still able to continue with some services even though they’ve had to change format such as click and collect and story time online.”