Council backs Baw Baw businesses

By Jessica Anstice

Baw Baw Shire Council has dedicated $440,000 to stage-one of its community and business support package.

The package aims to financially assist residents, sporting clubs, community groups and local businesses through the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re proud to launch this $440,000 package to support our community through these unprecedented and tough times,” Baw Baw mayor Danny Goss said.

“For local business, we understand the need for immediate financial relief, support to keep local people employed and the need to be dynamic and flexible in the evolving situation.

“That’s why a huge portion of this package has been dedicated to supporting local businesses – the heartbeat of our community.”

The council announced a number of rates relief measures for Baw Baw ratepayers and residents.

There will be an extension of payment terms for fourth instalment rates notices from 31 May to 30 June, with penalty interest exempt for this period.

All disabled parking permits will be extended until 30 June.

For local businesses, there is a 50 percent refund/waiver of eligible new and exisiting permits under the Community local Law for six months from 1 March to 1 September.

There is also a 50 percent refund/waiver of food and public health permits for the six months.

A waiver of all charges for written planning advice fees for eligible small to medium businesses has also been put in place for the six month period.

Additionally, the council will be launching a Baw Baw Business Grant Program to assist local businesses with the impacts of Covid-19.

All winter and annual fees for community sporting clubs, including utility services such as water, electricity and gas, will be waived by the council.

All stage-one support package initiatives have been considered for a six-month period.

An additional stage-two support package will be considered in July, pending the status of the evolving situation.