MILDURA traders have been guaranteed COVID-19 relief at least until the middle of 2023.
Mildura Council was this week poised to adopt a suite of recommended support measures totalling $381,000 to the end of the 2021-22 financial year, but agreed to extend that package for a further 12 months.
Councillors were told the council’s finance department had been able to claw back an anticipated budget deficit to commit a further $90,000 to assist traders in the 2022-23 financial year.
The initial recommendation sought to waive certain fees and charges for cultural and recreation category ratepayers, food premises, accommodation operators and beauty, tattoo and skin penetration operators using $120,000 already set aside for recovery measures and a further $261,000 from the 2021-22 budget.
Councillors were told the move would assist almost 800 business and community groups especially impacted by COVID-19 and associated restrictions and border closures.
However, Cr Glenn Milne moved an amendment that a further $90,000 be committed in the 2022-23 budget for additional relief.
The additional funding will allow the waiver of renewal fees for footpath trading permits, including tables, chairs, A-frames and display signs, in the 2022-23 financial year.
“I understand that our budget can afford that because a lot of businesses have already paid those fees this year,” Cr Milne said.
“It would be difficult to refund those, but in fairness to our traders we could put that in for next year,” he said.
Cr Helen Healy said it was “wonderful” the council was able to help the region’s struggling traders.
“I also note … that $120,000 that we were worried about spending on COVID relief and now the finance department have clawed back from that projected deficit that we can, and in addition spend another $90,000,” Cr Healy said.
“One of the high-profile people I spoke to in the hospitality business expressed their gratitude for the support that council has given them over the COVID time in such things as these waivering of rates.
“I am really proud to be part of a council that will do that to support our traders.”
Corporate general manager Chris Parham said the additional funds would impact the council’s 2022-23 budget.
“As such, we will take that into account in regard to our revenue projections for the next financial year,” he said.
Councillors were told the impact on a number of business sectors by COVID-19 has had a significant flow-on effect to employment and the economic prosperity of the region, as well as social impacts.
Mr Parham said sectors particularly impacted included, but were not limited to, hospitality, accommodation, beauty, hair dressing, tattooing and food and beverage providers.
