Community and local business COVID-19 support

The City is reviewing our programs and services to determine how we can help support local businesses and the wider community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A number of measures have already been implemented and a briefing meeting with Council is scheduled for next week to discuss a range of other initiatives for their consideration.

Rates 

We will soon commence 2020/21 budget planning and options to mitigate the impact on household budgets will be considered as part of this process. We've heard the calls for zero rate rises and we will give this due consideration during budget planning.

We have written to the Local Government Minister requesting the deferral of the Gross Rental Value (GRV) revaluation that is scheduled to apply for 2020/21, which will give us greater flexibility to meet a zero rate increase.

Hardship cases relating to rates and penalty interest, debtors, self-supporting loan repayments and leases will also be considered by Council.

The City supports the advocacy work that WALGA is undertaking in relation to the freezing of the waste levy and utility tarrifs.

Business support

Small business advice

The City’s Environmental Health team is liaising with local food businesses to provide advice in relation to the application of the latest State Government directions.

We have increased email and face to face communications with food businesses to provide advice related to additional hygiene measures to ensure that they are able to continue to operate for as long as possible under the current pandemic situation.

The City is facilitating working from home by relaxing the home based business regulations and requirements.

Fee relief

As part of our 2020/21 budget preparation, we will review options for rates relief to support small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Consideration is also being given to waiving bonds and fees associated with:

• Building Development Verge Access Bonds
• Verge Storage Permits
• Vehicle Crossover fees
• planning and other fees applicable to businesses within the City. 

Commercial property leases

The City is developing guidelines for lease payment and associated fee support for commercial properties and community groups.

Parking 

Parking enforcement has been limited to compliance for safety and accessibility purposes only.

Rangers services have been re-oriented to be the ‘eyes on the street’.

Manning laneway project

Works continue to progress on the design of the new Manning Hub phase two project that will connect the commercial area the hub with the community facility. Plans include streetscape updates and car park improvements that will support business activity during the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Exempt land use policy

To assist new business in the City once the pandemic is over, the City is seeking to introduce a policy that will remove the need for planning approval for new small-scale, low impact businesses that may open in the City. 

Helping the community 

The City is focusing on helping the most vulnerable in our community including seniors, those with special needs and our culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) community members.

We are investigating a number of initiatives to provide relief and support to the local community at this difficult time.

Community groups

Sporting clubs

We're developing guidelines for license and associated fee support for local sporting clubs and community groups.

Community Funding Grants of up to $5,000 are available throughout the year for both non-incorporated and incorporated community organisations including for COVID-19 relief.

Community facility bookings

All booking fees and bonds have been refunded for bookings of community facilities that have had to be cancelled. 

Libraries

Online eResources including ebooks, audiobooks, newspapers, magazines, eLearning, research and streaming services are still operating as normal and additional resources are being researched and added to the list.

The due date for all existing Library loans has been extended to 30 June 2020. Library and local history videos are being recorded by staff and uploaded to the website for home viewing.

Library staff are conducting weekly welfare checks by phone for home reader customers.

All library fees have been suspended until further notice

Senior citizens

Staff from South Perth and Manning senior Citizens Centres are conducting weekly welfare checks of their regulars and they are building a database of vulnerable seniors in the area who they will maintain contact with and offer telephone support or advice.

Meals on wheels 

We have taken responsibility for the Meals on Wheels service which is traditionally run by volunteers. We have redeployed staff to provide additional resources to meet greater demand for the service which is run through the South Perth Senior Citizens Centre. Meals on wheels is available to all residents over 55 years old as well as those with a disability.

Collier Park Village

Village staff are offering support and keeping residents updated of the COVID-19 situation by phone and letterbox drops. They are liaising with volunteer support groups to provide assistance to residents when required.   

Helping hands Program

A ‘Helping Hands’ program is being developed to support those impacted by COVID-19, including seniors, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds and Aboriginal people. 

Local residents will be able to register to receive help such as checking in with a friendly telephone call. The City is currently liaising with Volunteering WA about the coordination of volunteer support programs at state level. Information will be uploaded here soon. 

Food relief

The City provides funding to Moorditj Keila to facilitate a meal program for local people in need.

Financial relief

The City provides funding assistance to Southcare to facilitate a financial relief program to provide vouchers for the purchase of food, household goods or clothing as well as financial crisis assistance. Contact Southcare for details including eligibility and application process.  

Children

South Perth Youth Network (SPYN), in conjunction with the City’s libraries are developing an online school holiday activity program.

An activity pack has been sent to those registered for the GBLC school holiday programs which had to be cancelled. To receive one of these packs residents can email youth@southperth.wa.gov.au 

Parks and Reserves

The upkeep of our parks and reserves continues, enabling the community to undertake recreation outdoors in association with COVID-19 directives.

Our parks, street environment and conservation teams are continuing to maintain the City's valuable open spaces, street trees, conservation areas and river foreshore reserves to enable us to get out and about despite the social distancing measures in place.

The works and services teams continue to inspect and address maintenance and repairs to roads, crossovers, footpaths, cycle ways and the stormwater drainage network.

Sports oval floodlighting at reserves is being programmed to stay on after sunset to enable the community to walk and undertake other recreational activities safely at night.

We will continue to keep the COVID-19 page of this website updated as new information becomes available.