Campaspe Shire and Murray River Council both have an array of options for residents to access if they have fallen on hard times.
Here are the options available either side of the river:
Murray River Council
- Any immediate concerns for a vulnerable or frail person living in our community can be directed to your local health nurse via a phone call to the Community Care Intake Centre on 1800 654 324.
- The NSW Seniors Rights Service also offers phone support to Seniors feeling affected by the current living restrictions. Their call centre number is 1800 424 079.
- Our Community Services Team is working hard to provide information on additional support services to those in need. Grocery and meals on wheels deliveries, social support via phone or community transport enquiries are just a few of the things we are helping residents to connect with at this time. If you or someone you know needs a hand, the Community Services Team are available Monday to Friday 9 - 4pm on 1300 087 004 and very happy to take your call.
- To support our community during these times, we also have a Rates and Charges Hardship Policy. The policy aims to provide rates support to individuals and businesses who are experiencing financial difficulties. We encourage you to get in touch with us to discuss the various options available to you.
Campaspe Shire
RATEPAYERS and residents in Campaspe Shire have been given a reprieve from some council costs in the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Tuesday’s council meeting, councillors endorsed a range of financial support measures to assist ratepayers, residents, businesses and community groups that may be experiencing financial difficulty.
“The impact the current situation has on people is very individualised,” councillor Neil Pankhurst said.
“These are a range of measures including the facilitation of payments plus to encourage anyone who is facing hardship to make a call and discuss their situation with council staff.”
“We’re not the infinite bucket of wisdom so if there are areas we have missed people can go to council’s website or get in contact,” Cr Leigh Wilson said.
The measures are aimed at supporting individuals and groups experiencing difficulty in paying a range of council charges such as rates, accounts, rents, as well as suspending debt collection or enforcement action.
A summary of the financial support measures are:
- Rate payments: Supporting payment plans to address individual needs; waiving interest for the period from March 25 to September 30, 2020; and suspending any debt collection processes until September 30.
- EWMAC: Pausing direct debits for the Echuca War Memorial Aquatic Centre until the centre reopens; extension of prepaid memberships to honour the number of months impacted or, on request, offer a pro-rata refund from March 23.
- Animal registrations: Deferring enforcement action on unpaid registrations until September 30.
- Library fees: Waiving library fees from March 23 for any non-returned materials until one month after the library service returns to full operation.
- Hire fees: Refunding all fees paid in advance to hire council facilities, including the Echuca Wharf and recreation reserves, where an event has been cancelled as a result of the pandemic.
- Rental payments – council owned commercial properties: Waiving monthly commercial property rental payments for businesses or community groups impacted by the Victorian Government Restricted Activities direction, occupying council buildings and facilities by lease or licence, from Monday March 23 for three months, then on a month-by-month basis until the direction to remain closed is revoked.
- Rental payments – council owned community properties: Waiving rental payments for businesses, artisans or community groups impacted by the State Government Restricted Activities direction, occupying council buildings and facilities by lease or licence in line with council’s Leases for Community Groups and Artisans Policy, on a pro rata basis for three months, then on a month-by-month basis until the direction to remain closed is revoked.
- User agreement payments: Deferring payments for community groups impacted by the Victorian Government Restricted Activities direction occupying council buildings and facilities by a User Agreement until September 30.
- Surrender of lease or licence: Agreeing to surrender any lease or licence, if a business or community group gives notice, without penalty until September 30, except when there is an outstanding debt prior to March 23.
- Debt collection: Suspending debt collection processes until September 30.
- Child care: Waiving the 14-day notice period for the cancellation of any child care attendance at council operated child care centres from March 23.
- Public space trading permits: Waiving, on a monthly pro rata basis, fees related to the 2020/21 public spaces trading permits for the display of goods, A-frames and footpath trading, if businesses have been impacted by the Victorian Government Restricted Activities direction, until the direction is revoked.
“The financial implications of these measures to council have not been quantified at this stage, however impacts that extend into the 2020/21 financial year will be captured when a revised budget is developed and can be more precisely quantified,” mayor Adrian Weston said.
“We are acutely aware that the recovery of communities and the local economy will need to be our paramount focus when restrictions are eased.”
Council will now write to businesses and community groups set to benefit from these financial support measures outlining how these support measures will be applied.
More detail about the financial support measures will also be made available here
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