Greater Shepparton Economic Response Package - Stage 1

Greater Shepparton City Council is acting decisively to support our community and businesses to lessen the burden of the significant economic consequences of COVID-19.

We truly understand members of our community are doing it tough. As a Council we are committed to making life a little easier in any way we can.

Council is therefore immediately initiating a suite of measures through the introduction of a Stage 1 $1.5 million Greater Shepparton Economic Response to COVID-19 Package.

This Package aims to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the health and wellbeing of Greater Shepparton residents, our vulnerable community, and provide immediate and ongoing support to our local businesses that are currently experiencing devastating levels of disruption and uncertainty.

While the full local economic effects from the pandemic are yet to be fully understood, the Package provides timely financial and direct support to businesses and the broader community to assist in managing and navigating the immediate and ongoing impact of COVID-19. 

Council’s Package seeks to build on relief plans and various measures announced by the Federal and State Governments rather than duplicate their efforts.

And while the Package offers direct funding relief, it further provides actions to strengthen the on-going resilience and capacity within the community, as well as enabling Council to be more agile in its planning, processing and delivery of services.

This information on this page can be downloaded in a print-friendly PDF format via the link below:

Council's economic response targets four areas:

Residents

1. Residential ratepayers are able to enter into a payment arrangement or apply for financial hardship consideration regarding rates. Each case will be assessed on individual circumstances with outcomes customised according to the need of each case. Show more To find out more information or to have your situation assessed please contact our Finance and Rates Team on 03 5832 9700 or council@shepparton.vic.gov.au.
   
   Click here to find Council’s Hardship Policy.
2. No interest will be raised on residential rates from 16 March 2020, the date a State of Emergency was declared, until 30 June 2020. Show more To find out more information please contact our Finance and Rates Team on 03 5832 9700 or council@shepparton.vic.gov.au.
3. Extending the due date of Animal Registration Fees to 30 June 2020. Show more Animal Registration Renewals can be renewed online. If you can’t renew online your pet will still be registered until 30 June 2020.
   
   That means if your pet goes missing it can still be located and returned to you. This is particularly important as we don’t want people leaving their homes in the current circumstances to look for their missing pet.
   
   New Animal Registrations are unable to be accepted at this time as the Customer Service centre is closed. New pet owners will need to wait until current restrictions are lifted and the Council building is open to the public to register their new pets. New animal registrations are due by 30 June 2020.
4. Continue to maintain a vulnerable person’s register as described by the Department of Health and Human Services. The Pandemic Co-ordination Group will also work with partner agencies to assist the most vulnerable in our community. Show more If you have concerns regarding the health and wellbeing of a neighbour, friend, family or someone in the community please contact Council’s Pandemic Co-ordinator on 03 5832 9300.
5. Council staff will be allocated to assist community agencies where their services are in great demand such as Shepparton FoodShare. Show more If your agency requires any assistance please contact Council’s Pandemic Co-ordinator on 03 5832 9300. The Pandemic Co-ordination Team is making weekly contact with our community services to determine if they have any specific requirements.

Community Groups

6. Waiver rent/fees for community and sporting groups for Council owned land/grounds from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020. Show more If your sporting or community group has any further questions, please contact Council’s Booking Officer on 03 5832 9700 or council@shepparton.vic.gov.au.
7. A reduction in rent by 50% for tenants of Council owned buildings or facilities from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020. Show more To find out how this applies to your business please contact our Finance and Rates Team on 03 5832 9700 or council@shepparton.vic.gov.au.

Businesses

8. Business ratepayers are able to enter into a payment arrangement or apply for financial hardship consideration regarding rates. Each case will be assessed on individual circumstances with outcomes customised according to the need of each case. Show more To find out more information or to have your situation assessed please contact our Finance and Rates Team on 03 5832 9700 or council@shepparton.vic.gov.au.
   
   Click here to view Council’s Hardship Policy. 
9. No interest will be raised on business rates from 16 March 2020, the date a State of Emergency was declared, until 30 June 2020. Show more To find out more information please contact our Finance and Rates Team on 03 5832 9700 or council@shepparton.vic.gov.au.
10. Waiving of building and planning permit fees relating directly to the COVID-19 emergency until 30 June 2020. Show more To find out if this applies to your business please contact our Building and Planning Team on 03 5832 9700 or council@shepparton.vic.gov.au. 
11. Waiving outdoor dining permit fees for 12 months (This will apply to the 2020/21 financial year. Registration renewals will be sent in April 2020). Businesses need to renew their permit and provide the applicable Certificate of Currency for $20 million. Show more To find out if this applies to your business please contact our Building and Planning Team on 03 5832 9700 or council@shepparton.vic.gov.au.
12. Waiving Goods for Display Permit fees for 12 months (This will apply to the 2020/21 financial year. Registration renewals will be sent in April 2020). Businesses need to renew their permit and provide the applicable Certificate of Currency for $20 million. Show more To find out if this applies to your business please contact our Building and Planning Team on 03 5832 9700 or council@shepparton.vic.gov.au.
13. Waiving Advertising Signs (A-frame) permit fees for 12 months (This will apply to the 2020/21 financial year. Registration renewals will be sent in April 2020). Businesses need to renew their permit and provide the applicable Certificate of Currency for $20 million. Show more To find out if this applies to your business please contact our Building and Planning Team on 03 5832 9700 or council@shepparton.vic.gov.au.
14. Reduced cost of food premises and health premises registrations for 2021 (registrations are currently paid in advance for the calendar year and renewals are sent in November 2020). This would come into effect from November 2020 for eligible business impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Show more To find out if this applies to your business please contact our Environmental Health Team on 03 5832 9700 or council@shepparton.vic.gov.au.
15. Facilitate and fast track development applications where possible to assist businesses attempting to diversify, adapt or expand. Show more To discuss how your application can be fast tracked please contact our Building and Planning Team on 03 5832 9700 or council@shepparton.vic.gov.au.
16. A Small to Medium Businesses COVID-19 Quick Response Grant for up to $3,000 to facilitate transitioning to online and e-commerce activities. Show more Guidelines and online application are available from the link below. If you would like further information or discuss a potential application please contact our Grants Co-ordinator on 03 5832 9700. Grant has now closed.
17. Development of a Small Business Expert Support Program to support local small business owners and staff to identify and deliver relevant training and development activities to assist them to adapted to changing work practices and models. This enables businesses to articulate and define their own needs and ideas for support and recovery. Show more To discuss any current or future training needs or ideas or to access training on offer please contact the Greater Shepparton Business Centre on 03 5832 1100 or gsbc@shepparton.vic.gov.au.
18. Development of a suite of virtual seminars to support local business through the COVID-19 pandemic, providing information and advice on deciphering Government assistance packages, adapting and innovating business models in response to the rapidly changing environment, and health and well-being support and advice. Show more The Virtual Business Webinar Series is already available. Locals Supporting Locals in Business webinars are delivered by local business experts discussing strategies to adapt to and manage the impacts of COVID-19 on business operations. The series are currently available via the Greater Shepparton Business Centre Facebook Page.  
    
    For more please contact the Greater Shepparton Business Centre on 03 5832 1100 or gsbc@shepparton.vic.gov.au. 
19. In partnership with Grow Greater Shepparton, Committee for Greater Shepparton, Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Shepparton Show Me, Tourism Greater Shepparton, Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project and Goulburn Murray Community Leadership Program, develop a Business to Business portal to support local business as part of the Greater Shepparton Response initiative. Show more Join GROW Greater Shepparton today.

Advocacy

20. Continue to lobby the State and Federal Governments (including to the Federal Treasurer) to increase and expedite Federal Assistance Grants to allow local Councils to provide targeted rate relief for residents and businesses. 
21. Partner with State Government to identify the most efficient process for our community to access upcoming State funding programs.