Council supports business groups in ‘Live Local Be Local’

Wagga Wagga business groups are banding together in support of local retail and commercial operations currently navigating their way through the initial impacts of the pandemic.

Wagga City Council is part of an online initiative “Live local. Be local” alongside the Wagga Business Chamber, Women In Business Wagga Wagga, Committee 4 Wagga and BEC Advice as a new approach to help manage the impacts of COVID-19 on business.

The “Live Local. Be Local” campaign is being driven through a new website and Facebook group which aims to be the launching pad for local business operators seeking support or promoting innovative ideas to help boost local economic activity.

Council Director Regional Activation Michael Keys said all businesses across the region are invited to be part of the campaign.

“This is one measure to establish a support base for local business and how we can all move forward under these extremely challenging conditions,” Mr Keys said.

“It is a collaborative approach. We want businesses to work together with industry groups and support agencies to bring ideas to the table showing how strong and innovative our local community is to tackle these challenges.

“Working with leading business groups we want to know how we can help? There is support available and Wagga City Council wants to work together with these groups to provide assistance and support.”

Mr Keys said Council had agreed to a number of initiatives at its Ordinary Meeting on Monday night which will go a long way towards assisting local business.

This includes waiving and reducing various fees and charges associated with operating a business. These extend to residential properties and also individuals affected by the current restrictions.

Key areas affected include airport related activities, Gregadoo Waste Management Centre, financial hardship assistance, food and health related activities as well as development applications.

Council also approved rent abatements for Council’s commercial tenants, initially for a two-month period. A review will then take place at the end of this period, from 1 June, on a monthly basis.

More information about the revised fees and charges will be available on Council’s website.

Mr Keys urged local business operators to make themselves familiar with the “Live Local. Be Local” campaign.

“Go in and familiarise yourself with the website or join the Facebook group,” he said.

“There’s current and informative updates on there, links to State and Federal assistance, and the opportunity to put forward your ideas. If we can help make an initiative work, then we will.”

“We’re here to listen and take all ideas on board – this is about local businesses working together to get through these tough times. We want to work with local businesses and this initiative complements many existing and new groups and campaigns promoting the region and everything it has to offer.”

The website can be accessed at livelocalbelocal.com, and the Facebook group page at Live Local.Be Local.

Other campaigns currently active in the region include: Taste of Riverina – Regional Development Australia, We’ve Got The Goods – Destination Riverina Murray, Wagga Eats – Kosta Papaioanou.