COVID-19 Gunnedah: councillors to vote on adoption of COVID-19 business support package

Councillors will vote at Wednesday's ordinary council meeting whether to consider the proposed Gunnedah Shire Community Resilience - COVID-19 Business Support Package in order to help local businesses through the tough times.

A senior council director has warned if councillors don't adopt the suite of measures it could decimate the local economy, further contribute to job losses and lost revenue to council, but also add further strain on businesses crippled by the coronavirus crisis.

The package would be split into two parts: the first to support business owners now; and the second as a recovery package after the pandemic has calmed down.

It's worth $1.6 million, and includes an estimate of measures in place from adoption until June 30, "noting that measures will continue where required ... with the potential to be extended upon further consideration once council has the opportunity to assess impacts at that point".

Read also:

The package outlines numerous ways in which the council could support business owners, put together by the council with the help of the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber president Juliana McArthur commended council on its efforts to bring forward the package, adding "we are fortunate that we have a council that is focused on business".

She said a noteworthy measure that would be voted on included bringing forward projects under the Capital Works Program to stimulate the economy.

"If we get the economy moving, that's going to help with the recovery. Do our cultural precinct, upgrade the main street, repair more roads," Mrs McArthur said.

"It's about trying to get out of the hole we're in, and the only way we can do that is spending in the economy."

While that is just one out of many measures, Mrs McArthur was pleased the chamber's suggestions did not go unheard by the council.

The council's director of planning and environmental services, Andrew Johns, detailed in the council papers that it was "imperative" that a stimulus package be adopted by the council.

"A possible worst-case scenario of not putting stimulus measures in place, would be the closure of businesses; not only would this be devastating to the Gross Regional Product (GRP) of Gunnedah shire but this would have potential for a significant percentage loss in rateable revenue to council," Mr Johns wrote.

Want a say? Click this link to send a letter to the editor.

"The flow on impacts of potential business closures could result in large scale job losses impacting residential ratepayers' ability to be able to pay their fixed payments including residential rates.

"It is highly recommended that the support package be viewed favourably to alleviate some of the financial pressure that Gunnedah shire businesses are facing."

The council is yet to expand on detail with the recovery package, as it's "still unclear of the circumstances and the state in which our economy will be when trading conditions return to normal, following the end of the lock-down period".