City announces COVID-19 community support package

Published on 23 March 2020

The City of Hobart has announced a suite of measures to support the local community through the economic impact of the current COVID-19 outbreak.

At this evening’s Council Meeting, it was unanimously resolved that the City of Hobart provide support through the following measures:

• rent relief for tenants of City-owned premises who are experiencing hardship
• deferral of penalties and interest for the fourth instalment of 2019-20 rates payments for ratepayers experiencing hardship
• an amendment to the existing policy to allow postponement of rates payments to ratepayers experiencing hardship
• waiving of fees, such as for outdoor dining, for businesses experiencing hardship
• strengthening the City’s commitment to local procurement
• provision of additional Quick Response Grants to support businesses and creative industries.

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the measures provided much needed support to the community amid an environment of great uncertainty.

“There are things we can do now to help lessen the impact on our residents and businesses and we are keen to do whatever we can in this space,” Cr Reynolds said.

In addition, the City will approach the Tasmanian Government to request that an existing offer of interest-free loans to the value of $50 million might be instead provided as grants to support delivery of essential services and bolster capital works programs.

“This would be in addition to our existing $37 million capital works program,” Cr Reynolds said.

“The best thing we can do to stimulate the economy – particularly as we get past this initial response and enter the ongoing recovery phase – is to keep our own workforce working, purchasing supplies, and getting dollars circulating within the local business community.”

Cr Reynolds said further support measures would be developed and implemented as appropriate.

City of Hobart General Manager Nick Heath acknowledged that the support measures would result in an operational deficit for the City.

“These measures are unprecedented but necessary and are things we can do now. They are financially prudent and provide the certainty our community needs,” he said.

Mr Heath said work was being done behind the scenes to shore up City services amid widespread shutdowns.

“An Incident Management Team has been established within the City of Hobart and has been meeting regularly to develop and work through an emergency action plan,” he said.

“This includes reviewing and confirming our business continuity plans to make sure we can continue to provide essential services while protecting the health of our employees.

“Where changes are required to our normal operation, we will advise the community via our website and social media.”

All committee meetings have been suspended until further notice and, in order to facilitate timely determination of planning matters, the Council has provided delegation to the General Manager and the Director of City Planning to act as the Planning Authority until 27 April.

For more information on the City’s response to the COVID-19 emergency and to see the full report from this evening’s Council Meeting, visit hobartcity.com.au/covid19.