City set to add $1.7m to COVID response

GEELONG council will look to add a further $1.7 million worth of COVID-19 recovery initiatives to its community support program.

Councillors will tonight vote on the latest support package, while also finalising the 2020-21 budget and community grants program.

The proposed package includes a $500,000 tourism and events campaign targeting the attraction of short breaks and visiting family and friends, and an aim to “secure significant business events”.

There is also $490,000 for arts, culture and heritage initiatives; $250,000 in “COVID-19 quick response grants” for community groups; $133,000 in support for international students; $232,000 in commercial rent relief for selected tenants of council buildings; and, the continuation of the small business expert support program and COVID-19 financial hardship policy.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a major financial and social effect on our community,” Mayor Stephanie Asher said.

“From the outset, the council has been determined to do all it can to guide support towards those hit hardest and to provide a positive and healthy future outlook.

“Tuesday night’s meeting will give us the opportunity to set the direction for our region’s recovery by supporting the initiatives that we think will make a meaningful impact over the next 6-12 months.”

Councillors will also vote on a recommendation to extend the city’s 30-minute free parking in central Geelong’s twohour zones to November 30.

The recommendation comes in place of a council request to suspend all onstreet car parking fees for the remainder of the year, which council officers found would cost the city about $5 million in lost revenue on top of the $1.65 million in parking revenue already lost to COVID-19.

The city will also vote to move ahead with an expanded 2020-21 community grants program, which will focus on supporting recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Geelong’s finances for the next 12 months will also be finalised when the council votes on the final Budget, which includes a $160 million capital works program to boost jobs and the local economy.

More funding has been added since the release of the draft budget, including $387,000 for a gymnasium equipment core replacement program; $350,000 in traffic treatments on McKillop St; $256,000 for the Barwon Soccer Club stage two development; a $30,000 facilities improvement plan for Landy Field athletics track; and, a $30,000 feasibility study for development of a seniors activity hub on the Bellarine Peninsula.