City of Kalamunda announces COVID-19 Hardship Policy

08 April 2020 2:53 PM

The City of Kalamunda Council held a special meeting last night to set the principles and parameters for a crisis budget to meet the challenges produced by the coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor Margaret Thomas confirmed City officers had developed the COVID-19 Hardship Policy and associated recommendations.  “I want to thank the City’s Crisis Management Team and COVID-19 Taskforce who worked tirelessly to produce the City’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. They’ve shown perseverance and dedication to our City, demonstrating agility and resilience in serving our local community.

“These are unprecedented times and we all need to do our bit. These measures are aimed to further support the local community, additional to the Federal and State Government assistance packages announced. We are also offering on-ground support and coordinating a volunteer effort for community members who need help at this time. Give the office a call on 9257 9999 if you need a hand.”

“At the Special meeting of Council we passed a number of significant measures to support the community at this time.  Notably, the City will suspend lease rental in City-owned buildings for the rest of the financial year.”

“The City will commence negotiations with commercial tenants of City owned properties to amend lease arrangements until such time they can conduct their businesses in the same manner as prior to COVID-19 and suspend all of the lease rental payments from community-based and not-for-profit tenants of City-owned properties from 1 July 2020 until 3 months after they are able to reopen their operations.”

“The City will provide full refunds on all COVID-19 related cancelled bookings at City properties or facilities and reduce the accumulated surplus by $372,000.”

“The Chief Executive Officer will suspend debt recovery through the courts for outstanding rates payments and importantly the City will prepare a draft budget 2020/21 on the basis of a zero percent increase in rate revenue.”

Council endorsed recommendation to ensure that there will be a zero percent increase in fees and charges, including waste fees for 2020/21, as well as allowing the City to waive 2020/21 food and health inspection fees for targeted small businesses adversely affected by COVID-19 and reduce anticipated income for this service by approximately $37,000.  The draft budget 2020/21 will now be developed with a focus to drive priority capital works projects that can assist in economic stimulus, with further announcements expected on these measures as the budget is developed. A new temporary reserve, the Crisis Relief Fund will be established. This Crisis Relief Fund will be prepared with explicit criteria for funding and disbursement.

Council also adopted the COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness Plan and resolved to have no pay increases for Councillors. 

View all Council policies here

For more information please contact the City of Kalamunda on 9257 9999, email enquiries@kalamunda.wa.gov.au.

© City of Kalamunda 2024