Burwood Cares program to continue

Published on 28 September 2020

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Council has resolved to extend the Burwood cares program until the end of the year.

Council established the Burwood Cares program in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its aim was to provide financial relief, engagement and support and relief for Burwood residents and businesses in need as a result of the pandemic and its resulting economic and social impact on the community.

This included the delivery of 750 food, hygiene and craft packages to vulnerable residents as well as 1000 phone calls to check on welfare, consultations with more than 190 local businesses the check on their well-being and direct them to information on relief programs.

Residents have also received a $30 rate rebate, businesses have received free social distancing kits, mandatory health inspections have been waived and the grace period for ticketed and timed parking has been extended by 15 minutes.  

Burwood Mayor John Faker said the program had proven a success, but that as the health crisis continued, it was important to continue to continue to support members of the community.

“I am pleased to announce that the Burwood Cares program and associated community and business relief measures will be extended for a respective three or six month period, as we continue to concentrate on keeping our businesses operating, our city activated and our community safe,” he said.

“Our focus over the coming months will be to ensure that relevant information, programs and activities are in place to support our vulnerable communities now and into the future.

“Together with our community I am confident we will continue to respond to the challenge and re-emerge stronger.”

The following actions will be extended to 31 December 2020 as a continuation of the relief measures implemented by Burwood Council in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic:

1. Council continues to waive all mandatory health inspection fees.

2. Council provides an additional credit to all businesses who have paid a licence for outdoor dining, once business returns to normal.

3. Council continues to adopt a flexible and pragmatic approach to enforcement and compliance action, including the increased grace period for ticketed and timed parking to 15 minutes.

4. The General Manager continues to review the implementation of the current rent relief package for cafés, sporting facilities, childcare centres and other properties for which Council is the landlord, with adjusted relief measures to be assessed and implemented by the Mayor and General Manager as needed.

5. Council responds to the changing social, economic and digital landscape of Burwood through the provision of direct business support programs during NSW Small Business Month.

6. The General Manager continues to review Council’s budget for 2020/21 to unlock funding for community and business recovery activities required under the COVID-19 pandemic, while identifying potential savings from other activities currently placed on hold.

7. Council continues to provide not-for-profit community hirers with subsidised access to reopened community centres and facilities in accordance with Council’s fees and charges policy and State Government advice.

8. The General Manager continues to review the opportunity for reduced facility and venue hire fees and charges for local residents and services in the Burwood Local Government Area.

9. The General Manager continues to review the roll out of key infrastructure projects based on a safety, resource and financial risk assessment.

The following actions be extended to 31 March 2021 as a continuation of the relief measures implemented by Burwood Council in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic:

1. Council continues to liaise with our Chambers of Commerce and local businesses to implement business improvement programs to support operating and re-emerging businesses.

2. Council provides eligible businesses with resources to assist with the enforcement of social distancing requirements in operating premises.

3. The General Manager continues to review the roll out of community programs and initiatives in line with advice from the State Government and NSW Health for the Spring/Summer season to support and contribute to the reactivation of our public spaces and our shopping and dining precincts.

4. Council continues its delivery of the Burwood Cares noticeboard, promoting and facilitating access to up to date information on community support services and local business offerings.

5. Council continues disseminating the Burwood Cares eNewsletters for business and community providing information on Council programs and other relevant support initiatives.

6. Council continues the reactivation of community groups such as children, youth, migrant and senior groups.

7. Council continues to engage with its vulnerable or isolated community through targeted recovery programs.

8. Council monitors and responds to the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse community groups and at-risk community members including international students.

9. Council continues to provide information and resources for businesses, including links to the Federal Government’s stimulus package and any support package provided by the NSW Government through a dedicated section on Council’s website.

10. Council continues to take a multidisciplinary approach to the planning, design and management of public spaces to achieve social, economic and environmental outcomes throughout the city.

 

 

 

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