Picture: SANDRA MORELLO
GRANT District Council has swept in a myriad of measures for its community in response to COVID-19 health and economic crisis.
The community-entrenched “care package” includes a $10,000 disaster relief fund to support local agencies and flexible rates hardship arrangements.
Other measures include click and collect library services as well as a business liaison team to connect local businesses with government support and advice.
Senior council staff will now have delegation authority to waive rent for commercial and community tenancies on a case by case basis, including airport tenancies.
Grant District Mayor Richard Sage said council had launched some first actions to address the impacts of COVID-19 on the local community.
“As a council team we are looking at ways to balance cost pressures against service delivery whilst trying to ease the pressure on our ratepayers,” Mr Sage said.
“Council’s primary concern remains the health and welfare of all members of our community and our staff while we continue to deliver essential services.”
He said the organisation was acutely aware of the hardship and stress the pandemic had placed on the community of families, small business owners and wage earners.
“Council can make a difference,” Mr Sage said yesterday.
“As we work towards surviving this crisis as a united community with local government being part of your every day by working together, we will come out the other side stronger for the challenges we now face.”
Mr Sage said the council was there to assist where possible.
Council will continue to progress and build more strategies into the package during 2020 to help soften the economic and social effects of this crisis.
Moreover, the local government body will continue to reassess the situation and determine if any of the measures need to continue into the new financial year.
Council will also canvass if new measures need to be considered, balanced against council’s financial position.
Ratepayers experiencing hardship are urged to contact council’s rates officer Liz McRostie on 08 8721 0400 or email info@dcgrant.sa.gov.au for a confidential discussion.
Visit council’s website at www.dcgrant.sa.gov.au/services/rates-and-property/covid-19-rates-hardship to complete the online form or visit yoursaydcg.com.au/covid-19 for more information.
