By Matthew Sims
Maribyrnong council has approved a motion to offer a 50 per cent rebate on the second quarter instalment of its rates and municipal charges to flood-affected residents on application.
At its meeting on Tuesday, November 8, council passed a motion to provide a number of financial relief measures, including waiving the 2022-23 waste charge, applying a rebate of 50 per cent to the Residential Vacant Late Rate component where dwellings have been required to be demolished for reinstatement and waiving the planning application fee for dwellings reinstated on a like-for-like basis in accordance with the Planning Scheme.
Maribyrnong councillor Sarah Carter said the rebate represented a “significant” measure, with the 50 per cent rebate equating to about $312,000 in total.
“It’s fitting that council come together this quickly to look at what we can do whilst we’re still very much in a recovery phase following the devastating floods from some weeks ago,” she said.
“It takes me back actually to 2020, in those early days of responding to the pandemic and the hardship felt by traders, in looking at what initial steps we could take to ease those pressures.
“We might need to look to further measures to support our community at this time because the rebuild will take time.”
Maribyrnong council also approved a motion to offer a $3500 payment to the Barkly Street Uniting Cricket Club, Footscray Boat Club, Footscray Cricket Club, Footscray Rugby Union Club, Maribyrnong Taekwondo Club, Maribyrnong Youth Club, Western Crusaders Gridiron Club and Maribyrnong Community Garden to assist with replacing equipment lost or destroyed during the flooding.
Cr Michael Clarke said he believed the council would stand united to endorse any future flood relief packages.
“What we’re doing here is going to in some significant way, relieve the burden of trauma that many of those residents in the Maribyrnong district have experienced as a result of this event,” he said.
“The psychological and emotional distress…that many of our residents have been subject to is beyond understanding.
“We stand with you.”
Cr Anthony Tran said the rebate would be in addition to any current pensioner rebates.
“It’s a piece of support that our community needs,” he said.
Cr Jorge Jorquera said he would advocate for future flood relief packages to look at how to support flood-affected renters.
Any flood-impacted ratepayers would also be eligible to enter into a minimum payment arrangement for municipal rates and charges to suit individual circumstances, with no interest charged.
