Council announces multi-million dollar support package
Date published: 19 March 2020
Townsville City Council is close to finalising a fiscally responsible multi-million dollar package to support locals and businesses feeling the effects of COVID-19.
This package will extend until 30 June, with Council reviewing this date as the Federal and State Government provide more updates on the situation.
Townsville Mayor and Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group Jenny Hill said the package will include the deferral of rates, the deferral of pedestal charges, provisions like the refund of venue hire fees, lease rent relief, and free parking in the CBD.
“This a multi-million dollar package which will help alleviate some of the pressure being experienced by our community as we handle the economic impacts of COVID-19,” Cr Hill said.
“This package will include things like the deferral of rates, the deferral of pedestal charges for businesses, refunds of fees for venue hires and a fixed booking fee of $0, and providing rent relief for our commercial leases.
“We will also be deferring fees and charges for our sporting clubs and associations to provide some relief if registration numbers drop or more bans are placed on gatherings.
“We also plan on reducing our development application fees and infrastructure charges for shovel-ready projects to keep our city moving.
Cr Hill said Council was releasing this package as a proactive measure to support the local economy in Townsville.
“First and foremost, Council’s priority is the health and safety of our residents and we are also looking at how we can support our economy.
“These are uncertain times and these are important measures to provide assistance to the community.”
Full details of the package will be released as soon as it has been finalised.
The package, which at this stage will extend until 30 June, will include:
- Deferral of rates
- Deferral of fees and charges for sporting clubs and associations
- Deferral of pedestal charges
- Council facilitating the refund of all Civic Theatre show tickets through the TicketShop
- Refunds for Council venues for cancelled events
- Al Fresco dining fees fixed to $0
- Food Act 2006 fees fixed to $0
- Temporary Food Stalls/Premises fees fixed to $0
- Refunds granted for Community Centres for cancelled bookings
- Rent relief to June 30 for commercial leases
- Trade waste licence fees fixed to $0
- Free parking in the CBD
