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Strathbogie Shire initiatives to support local business

By David Rak

May 21, 2020

Initiatives to help Strathbogie Shire businesses during and after the COVID-19 pandemic are helping to ease the financial burden.

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Strathbogie Shire Mayor Amanda McClaren said the initiatives were recognition that drought, fires, storms and the pandemic had taken a huge toll on businesses.

“In our 2020-21 council budget, we have proposed up to $320 000 of support for businesses and have asked council staff to work closely with businesses to work out what would most practically help them in this most difficult of times,” she said.

“However, we have also introduced a number of more immediate measures to be able to assist businesses.

“That includes an extension of the due date of the fourth instalment of council rates to June 30 instead of May 31 and no overdue/outstanding interest to be added to accounts for the period from April 1 to September 30.

“One which has immediately been welcomed is we are refunding any previously paid fees for this financial year to become a registered premises, which includes food business, hairdressers, etc.

“As part of our draft budget, we are proposing that this same fee will not be charged in the 2020-21 financial year.”