The City of Gosnells is supporting residents and ratepayers through the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and assisting in the economic recovery of the local community. Some of the actions that have been implemented or are planned include:

Supporting our community:

• Bringing forward $14 million of capital works to create a $33 million program designed to recharge the local economy, including funding a comprehensive road and community infrastructure program to generate jobs and keep local businesses and trades operating, with a large portion funded through grants and reserves
• Allocated public open space cash in lieu to immediately start work on 9 all-ability playgrounds across the City
• Expanded the City’s Meals on Wheels service, to assist more local, vulnerable residents using Federal Government funding
• Supported local organisations through the City’s Community Funding Program to assist individuals and groups affected by COVID-19
• Provided a relief package of $150,000 to assist hirers and lessees significantly impacted by facility closures including waiving fees for ground hire
• Commitment that no one pays more on rates than last year for the coming financial year
• Commitment to a freeze on fees and charges for 2020/21 financial year
• Continuing with flexible payment arrangements to suit individual ratepayer’s circumstances
• Removed penalty interest on overdue rates for 2020
• Established the Home But Not Alone Facebook group to engage people in their own home, to combat isolation and encourage social interaction
• Launched a Community Hotline with advice, information and support for community members facing difficult circumstances
• Expanded the City’s Homebound Readers program, to deliver more library books to residents, while also providing a Click and Collect service

Supporting our businesses:

• Reassigned City Officers to Business Station in Gosnells to provide support to local small businesses  
• Bringing forward local road and community infrastructure projects, to help stimulate the local economy 
• Upgrading local community facilities with work directed to local businesses and trades through a $1.1 million Federal Government grant
• Waived registration renewals for local food businesses and provided assistance for them to operate as takeaway outlets
• Waived commercial lease fees on the City’s four commercial leases (three cafes and a child care centre)
• Supported local mobile food vendors to operate throughout the City at community events – Eyes on the Sky fireworks display and Drive-By Bites

Supporting our staff and improving operations:

• Redeployed permanent staff whose substantive roles could no longer be performed to undertake a variety of other projects
• Facilitated technology enhancements to deliver Ordinary Council Meetings online
• Launched Webchat to deliver additional customer service online
• Developing trainee and apprenticeship opportunities to provide young people with new employment pathways at the City
• Casual staff offered work with the Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group to provide continued employment and the opportunity to support the community project

Last Updated: Monday 7 September, 2020

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