PANDEMIC, NATURAL DISASTER & FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ECONOMIC SUPPORT
- Business Tasmania Hotline – 1800 440 026
- Events Tasmania Hotline – 1300 880 634
Information on Business Support packages can be found here and here.
West Coast Council understands that businesses and individuals can be impacted by pandemics and natural disasters. This post provides information on stimulus packages and a summary of help available to our community. Families or individuals that are financially impacted please call Centrelink on 13 24 68. If you are a business, please call Business Tasmania on 1800 440 026 for more information.
Council may provide financial hardship assistance by:
- Offering payment plans for rates and other Council debt for those experiencing hardship (contact the Council office)
- Considering requests for remission or postponement of rates on a case-by-case basis. If you have been impacted by financial hardship please write to (or email) the General Manager with your request.
- Continuing to employ our staff, including casuals, to provide services to the community. If some services are not required, or capacity is reduced we will work to redeploy staff.
- Continuing to pay contractors as quickly as possible.
- Continuing to maintain and upgrade infrastructure that is/will be required.
The Cradle Coast Authority (CCA) has a Regional Restart Hub on its website, to assist businesses recover from hardship.
The Hub has three key features:
* Request a mentor – small business owners can complete a simple online form to help CCA match them with a volunteer mentor. This free service was announced last week.
* Funding Finder – users can easily search for grants and other financial assistance, viewing key eligibility information at a glance.
* Tools, tips and checklists – practical tools that small business owners can work through by themselves or with their mentor, to help them get their business back on track.
West Coast Businesses:
- We encourage all businesses to contact Business Tasmania (and regularly check the below resources) for updates and details on the various assistance packages available. Please do not hesitate to contact Business Tasmania. They are there to help.
- Please ensure your current contact details (phone number and email) are provided to our Growth & Change department (growthandchange@westcoast.tas.gov.au ). This will ensure you are included in direct emails and contact moving forward.
- Call your bank, financial advisor and/or accountant. Use their expertise to provide advice on how to manage things now, and as we move forward. The Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania has been funded to offer a free consultation service with an experienced financial advisor to tourism operators. Please contact info@tict.com.au for more information.
Worksafe TAS have a comprehensive list of resources on their website around the impending requirements for industry and workplaces to ensure that business operations are safe post a pandemic or natural disaster:
https://worksafe.tas.gov.au/home
https://worksafe.tas.gov.au/topics/Health-and-Safety/safety-alerts/coronavirus
https://worksafe.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/565667/GB377-Pandemic-Plan-Advice.pdf
West Coast Individuals/Families:
- If you have been financially impacted please contact Centrelink via their website or call 13 24 68.
West Coast Community Organisations:
You are the lifeblood of the West Coast, run by volunteers and providing essential services and recreational connectivity to our region. Council’s Growth & Change department is here to provide assistance. Please ensure your current contact details (phone number and email) are provided to our Growth & Change department growthandchange@westcoast.tas.gov.au . so that you are included in direct emails and contact moving forward.
West Coast Events:
The State Government has created a hotline, 1300 880 634, to provide assistance to organisers of events.
West Coast Council alongside other Councils and the State Government is looking at what we can do to support the community and impacted businesses. As we consider these matters, we will keep the community updated. It is important that support offered is targeted and effective and that Council maintains the ability to provide employment in the community, support local contractors and delivery essential services and infrastructure.
West Coast Council can be contacted at this number: 6471 4700 and on this email: wcc@westcoast.tas.gov.au for all enquiries.
West Coast Ratepayers
Rates play an important part in making sure Council can provide essential services to the community to the benefit of all residents.
Council recognises the financial impact that pandemics or natural disasters can have on local business and workers.
To assist rate payers who are experiencing hardship with rates Council can offer the following options:
- Council can enter into a payment plan with you to spread payments over further instalments. If you wish to do this, please contact Council via our phone number or email.
- If you are experiencing financial hardship related to a pandemic or natural disaster you can contact us at Council to discuss options. Council has determined not to apply interest to postponed rates.
- Ratepayers have the option under the Local Government Act 1993 to apply for a rates remission. Requests for a remission should be addressed to the Council, be in writing, and detail all information that may be relevant to the Council’s consideration of the remission request.
Aurora Energy:
Information regarding Aurora’s support assistance is available here
Internet/Mobile Phones:
NBN FAQ'S can be found here
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry:
TCCI have a dedicated business hotline 1300 559 112 and information available here
Tasmanian Hospitality Association:
THA is providing access to free business advice and other information is available here