Fees and charges amended amid COVID-19 pandemic

A SUMMARY OF THE 30 MARCH ORDINARY MEETING

Wagga Wagga City Council has tonight agreed to waive and reduce various fees and charges for small businesses, residential premises and individuals in the ongoing management of the COVID-19 pandemic and its affect on the community.

Council recognised the considerable current and future financial impact the community is facing amid the COVID-19 situation and has approved amendments to certain 2019/20 fees and charges on a four-week basis, starting Tuesday 31 March until the end of the financial year.

The Council areas where the majority of fees and charges amendments will be focused include the Airport, Gregadoo Waste Management Centre, Finance, Environmental Health and City Development.

Council will offer assistance to property holders experiencing hardship due to COVID-19.

Included (on application) is the waiving of interest on overdue rates for property holders who are deemed to be experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19.

Along with waiving interest, Council officers will continue to offer all property holders the ability to enter into payment arrangements that suit both the property holder and Council.

Property holders can contact Council’s Finance staff to discuss their account and work together on a payment plan that is achievable in the current environment.

Council also approved rent abatements for Council commercial tenants for a two-month period. A review will then take place at the end of this period, from 1 June on a monthly basis. This was detailed in a separate confidential report to Council tonight.

Council officers are in the process of compiling a fact sheet to property holders which outline the assistance available.

Property holders can contact Council’s Finance section on 1300 292 442 to discuss their account, or via email at accountsreceivable@wagga.nsw.gov.au

RP-4 PROPOSED WAIVING OF FEES AND CHARGES & CONF-2 PROPOSED RENT ABATEMENTS FOR COUNCIL TENANTS

Council to pay mardi gras sponsorship

Wagga City Council will honour its sponsorship of up to $20,000 for this year’s Wagga Mardi Gras which was cancelled the day before the event earlier this month.

Council agreed to endorse a recommendation to not seek reimbursement for the first payment of $10,000 and approve the final payment of up to $10,000 to event organiser HC Events Pty Ltd.

The second payment will be made following clarification on costs incurred and sponsorship income received.

The mardi gras was cancelled on Friday 13 March, 2020 due to circumstances outside the reasonable control of the organiser.

The cancellation was made following a meeting with the event organiser in relation to COVID-19 circumstances and mass gathering information that had been made available at the time.

It was acknowledged that there has been a financial impact on the event organiser, and substantial costs had been incurred.

RP-2 MARDI GRAS 2020 SPONSORSHIP PAYMENT

Financial performance report

The financial performance report to 29 February this year approved budget variations to a number of projects and initiatives in the area. These included:

TRAINEESHIPS AND SPONSORSHIPS

As part of Council’s commitment to Vocational Education and Training (VET) and its own trainees and apprentices, Council officers recommended $600 sponsorship for the 2019 NSW Training Awards. It is proposed to support the event for three years and the variation be funded from existing traineeships budgets.

MAXWELL RFS TOILET

Initial funding advice ($28,000) has been received from the Rural Fire Service (RFS) for the installation of a stand-alone self-contained toilet at the Maxwell facility. Estimated completion date is 30 June 2020

KOORINGAL ROAD URBAN ASPHALT

Council is undertaking works to construct the Equex Kooringal Road exit. As part of this $175,000 project, the quality of the 100m segment of Kooringal Road at the intersection with Parson Street will be improved by removing the existing railway track and reinstating the pavement with 200mm thick asphalt mix. Estimated completion date is 30 June 2020.

TREATMENT PLANT PFAS TESTING

In order to continue beneficial reuse of biosolids produced at Narrung Street and Kooringal Sewage Treatment Plants monthly testing for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) must now occur. The PFAS test results will be included in the monthly Biosolids Reuse Report. Council is required to fund the PFAS testing at an estimated $40,000 per annum. It is proposed to fund the variation from the Sewer Reserve.

RP-1 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 29 FEBRUARY 2020

Wagga Solar Project report

A report to Council recommending that the proposed Civic Theatre solar system be removed from the WWCC Solar Project and transferred to the Oasis Energy Savings Project was approved tonight.

CONF-1 SOLAR PROJECT VARIATION