Tuesday 31 March 2020 Financial assistance for those facing hardship The City of Cockburn is providing residents, community groups and businesses facing hardship with a range of financial assistance measures. To access these measures or to find out more, call 08 9411 3444 or email customer@cockburn.wa.gov.au Residents and community groups The deferment of rate payments for three months or the ability to enter into a more generous payment arrangement Removal of penalty interest and other charges on rates until 30 June Defer repayments of existing debts for three months for community based debtors More affordable payment options for Naval Base shack lessees Full refund on all cancelled bookings and events at City facilities Sporting Clubs COVID Support Package - Stage 1: assistance paying ongoing costs to ensure clubs remain financially viable Delay on final notices and referrals to Fines Enforcement Registry for issued infringements until 30 June A more lenient approach from the City with infringements. Cautions will be issued where appropriate. Business The deferment of rate payments for three months or the ability to enter into a more generous payment arrangement Compassionate payment options for commercial based debtors The ability for tenants of City owned or controlled premises to suspend/defer up to 100% of their rent payments (not including outgoings) for an initial three month period to 30 June Paying suppliers 15 days from the date of invoice. Your rates in 2020/21 The City is preparing the draft Municipal budget, 2020/21 for Council consideration and has requested the Local Government Minister defer the Gross Rental Value (GRV) revaluation scheduled to apply for 2020/21 to ensure a zero rate increase for all properties. Budget measures to be considered by Council (9 April) include: Removing interest and other fees and charges on rates Removing the mandatory waste service levy from commercial/industrial properties not currently utilising the City’s service. Projects for 2020/21 The City is preparing the draft Municipal budget, 2020/21 for Council consideration. This will include a prioritised capital works budget favouring ‘shovel ready’ projects. The City has also applied for government funding to complete additional 'shovel ready' projects for when the health crisis abates in order to stimulate the economy and provide local jobs: Jandakot Road widening (Solomon Road to Berrigan Drive) – $11m Rockingham Road Revitalisation – $4m Hammond Road widening (Branch Circus to Bertram Road) – $10.5m Rowley Road/Lyon Road intersection – $1.4m Rockingham Road/ Phoenix Road intersection – $1.6m North Lake Road/ Discovery Drive intersection – $2m North Lake Road/ Farrington Road intersection –$1.2m. Closed - playgrounds & outdoor recreation equipment For your health and safety we have closed the following until further notice. Signage will be erected at all sites: All playgrounds Dog parks (locked and chained) Exercise equipment Manning Park stairs Skate parks and pump tracks Water play areas. Public toilets and drinking fountains, including the Bibra Lake and Manning Park toilet blocks are closed. The toilets at Coogee Beach foreshore, Coogee Beach Surf Life Saving Club and C. Y. O’Connor Beach will remain open for now. Be a caring neighbour There are a lot of us working, studying and/or home schooling from home, so it's really important that we are mindful of our neighbours by keeping the music or loud noises down. Thank you for your understanding during these unusual times. |
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