MidCoast Council mayor David West has welcomed a State government stimulus package designed to protect council jobs, local services and infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The $395 million package includes a three month council job retention allowance of $1500 each fortnight for staff, funds to help meet increases in the 2020-21 emergency services levy and an increase in loans to begin community infrastructure projects.
Cr West issued a mayoral minute at the April 22 ordinary meeting of council to support a statewide campaign coordinated by Local Government NSW which called for local government financial support.
The package was announced by the State government four days later.
Cr West was thrilled with the prompt response.
"I was astounded the State government has listened and quickly responded," Cr West said.
"It shows how important local government is both economically and socially."
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With the lasting impacts of the virus relatively unknown, Cr West said MidCoast Council must be prepared financially for the sake of the community.
"COVID-19 has an unknown impact - we don't know how long this will go for," Cr West said.
"Some have speculated it could be 20 to 30 months so we need to plan for that and take it into consideration."
Others have speculated the virus could impact humans in waves. If so, Cr West wants to ensure council is ready.
"We don't know if that's true and the people who have said that don't know it's true," Cr West said.
It shows how important local government is both economically and socially.
- David West, MidCoast Council mayor
"It's an interpretation of what they've got so we need to jump on that and say 'we need to have a plan too'."
Cr West said he had a responsibility as mayor to ensure council and the community overcame the financial burden of the coronavirus situation.
"It's making sure we are on the front foot with this virus and I want to make sure we are one of the councils doing that," Cr West said.
Local Government NSW will continue to work with the NSW government. The need for a possible extension of the retention allowance in alignment with the JobKeeper program will be assessed.
Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead supported the move.
"Our local council is a critical part of the local economy and it has been hit hard financially by the COVID-19 pandemic," Mr Bromhead said.
"Qualifying staff at MidCoast Council will now be able to access the (job retention) allowance which will not only safeguard valuable local jobs but ensure council staff with a wide range of skills are retained to continue to serve our community.
"This funding injection will allow MidCoast Council to redirect funds to critical core services and deliver financial support for the local community."
