Northern mayor’s motion for state-first council coronavirus care plan approved

Businesses affected by coronavirus could receive financial relief and support under a care plan being developed by a local council.

CITY of Launceston Council has voted through a motion to develop a state-first community care and recovery package for businesses and individuals affected by the coronavirus pandemic in the state’s north.

Mayor Albert van Zetten’s last-minute motion proposed that council’s CEO Michael Stretton work with councillors and general managers of the northern councils and the Northern Tasmanian Development Corporation to prepare the package.

MORE CORONAVIRUS NEWS:

PM CLOSES BORDERS TO NON-AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS

WARNING FROM HEART OF CORONAVIRUS COUNTRY

GOVERNMENT COMMITS TO KEEPING SCHOOLS OPEN

The motion outlined several elements of the package, including;

RATES relief for businesses affected by closure as a result of the pandemic.

FEES charges relief for businesses, community groups and sporting clubs to assist in managing their response and recovery to the pandemic.

EARLY payment of creditors by councils and negotiable terms of payment for debtors.

PROVISIONS for a one-off special grant to support business innovation, including a focus on the development of digital capability and online services.

SUPPORT for sporting and cultural groups to develop alternative approaches to their activities.

SUPPORT for vulnerable members of the community.

NEGOTIATE rent relief for the use of council facilities.

SUPPORT for council events to retain grant funding and re-plan events.

“I’m not going to be able to say what these means will be, we don’t know at this stage,” Cr van Zetten said.

“I’m very confident that our CEO and our staff will come up with a package that is something that we can look forward to in a few weeks’ time.”

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Cr van Zetten said there was a lot of uncertainty for the business community, sporting groups and other community groups.

“Everyone in this room and everybody in our community, we are the ones with the power to make a difference in this crisis,” he said.

“It’s up to each one of us to do our bit.

“The State Government have announced their packages and whether we agree with all of them or not, it’s there and we are going to try and add to that.”