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Canada Bay announces $1.68 million package of COVID-19 support

Business | 30 April 2020

Today Mayor Angelo Tsirekas announced a suite of measures to support local businesses and residents in the City of Canada Bay throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are doing everything we can to support our community and our $1.68 million assistance package will support locals and businesses through this crisis and beyond,” City of Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas said.

The support for the local community, totaling approximately $1.68 million includes fee waivers, rent relief policy, direct phone support, online community hub offering programs and services, parking permit deferral for businesses and parks, and more. In addition, the City of Canada Bay has relaxed some areas non-safety related enforcement.

“In addition to these measures we will work alongside our community in the long term to see our local business community thrive again.”

“Local businesses are the backbone of our community, and I would like to thank our businesses and frontline services who have gone above and beyond to care for our residents throughout the COVID–19 crisis.”

“From our local supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations, convenience stores and fruit shops, medical centres and hospitals, to our schools, childcare centres and emergency services – everyone has pitched in. I would also like to pay tribute to our local chambers of commerce for your service during these difficult times.”

“As we all work together to stop the spread of COVID–19, I encourage our community to stay safe, stay calm and to follow the latest advice from State and Federal health authorities.”

“This is an historic and trying time, but I know this community and know that we will be at our best if we face these challenges together.”

Supporting our community

Council is working to ease the impacts of social distancing and isolation within our community and to ensure everyone has access to important social support services. This includes:

  • The launch of the Canada Bay Connects campaign to tackle social isolation
  • Purpose built Canada Bay Connects Community Space within collaborate.canadabay.nsw.gov.au offering online programs, services and support during the COVID–19 pandemic
  • Extended library loan periods and renewals for existing loans
  • Direct phone support and regular follow up on request for our vulnerable residents
  • An automatic one-month interest free extension on residents’ fourth rates instalment amount.

Supporting local business and sporting clubs

Small businesses and sporting clubs are vital to our community, and we are working hard to support our local economy during this time, including:

  • Waiving ongoing footpath dining fees until the end of July with the possibility of extension should dining restrictions be extended beyond July
  • A rental relief policy for impacted tenancies, detail of which is included in a separate report on this Council meeting agenda
  • Waiving fees for health inspections for local business
  • Deferring parking permits for businesses and parks for 12 months
  • The launch of a Love Local campaign to support the local economy by highlighting and promoting local business efforts to transition through COVID–19
  • Purpose built Canada Bay Connects Business Hub within collaborate.canadabay.nsw.gov.au, an online platform including support and training resources for local business owners and a platform for local business to promote current services and offerings to our community
  • No ground hire charges for local sporting clubs during the period shutdown and a proactive approach to supporting clubs when competitions are able to begin again
  • Working with local golf and tennis clubs to ensure ongoing operations can continue in strict adherence with social distancing guidelines.

 

Image caption: Mayor Angelo Tsirekas with Toco Fresh owners Ash Sharma and Arjunan Kumaran

Business | 30 April 2020