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Hardship Assistance - Council Support

The Southern Grampians Shire Council has a policy in place that enables assistance to be provided to businesses and ratepayers who are facing hardship due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Within the 2020/21 Budget a sum of $328,000 has been set aside to assist the Southern Grampians community in relation to hardship applications specifically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any funds not expended by the end of the 2020/21 financial year will be spent on COVID-19 related community initiatives or projects as determined by Council.

Under council’s Hardship Assistance COVD-19 Support Policy, assistance can be provided by way of one or more of the following:

Reimbursement of the following Local Laws permits for 2020 calendar year:

  • Advertising signs placed on roads/footpaths
  • Display of goods for sale
  • Outdoor eating facilities

Food Act Registrations

Public Health & Wellbeing Act Registrations

  • Accommodation
  • Beauty Parlour/Skin Penetration
  • Hairdressing

Rate Relief

2019/2020 - 4th Instalment Interest Waiver
2020/2021 - 2% Rates and Charges Reduction
2020/2021 - Landlord Assistance

General Conditions

  • Applications to be completed using the relevant on-line form (links below), if you are unable to access or complete the online form, please contact Council
  • To be eligible for the “Annual Fee Reimbursement”, “2019/20 4th Instalment Interest Waiver” and the “2020/2021 2% Rates and Charges Reduction”, evidence in the form of documentation showing that “Jobseeker”, “Jobkeeper” or another form of State or Federal Government assistance in relation to COVID-19 has been received, needs to be attached to your application
  • PAYG Reimbursements provided by the Australian Taxation Office are not classified as financial assistance for this purpose.
  • Rate waivers exclude the State Government’s Fire Services Property Levy.
  • To be eligible for the “2020/2021 Landlord Assistance”, evidence in the form of a Statutory declaration or other supporting documentation showing that tenants have been provided a substantial discount; or entered into reduced payment arrangements to enable the tenant to continue occupation; or tenants have vacated and are now left with a vacant premises due to the effects of COVID-19; needs to be attached to your application.

Each application is reviewed on its individual merits and not all applications may be eligible for assistance under council’s Hardship Assistance COVD-19 Support Policy. Please complete each part of the application prior to submitting your application. It is strongly recommended that any person facing serious hardship seek assistance as soon as possible.

If you are ineligible for assistance under council’s Hardship Assistance COVD-19 Support Policy applications can be made under council’s General Hardship Application (link below). Please note that general hardship assistance for Rates is only provided to the ratepayer’s principle place of residence.

Hardship Assistance Fund Policy

Hardship Assistance COVID-19 Support Policy

Application Forms

COVID-19 Hardship Application Form– Annual Fee Payments

COVID-19 Hardship Application Form– Request for 2019/20 4th Instalment Interest Waiver

COVID-19 Hardship Application Form– Request for 2020/21 2% Rates and Charges Reduction

COVID-19 Hardship Application Form – Landlord Assistance

General hardship Application Form

Business Support

Council continues to offer direct support to businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Business Greater Hamilton website is our dedicated Hub where you'll find out everything you need to know about the initiatives in place to support you and your business, as well as links to useful government resources and workshops.

The business page on this website also has a wide range of useful information and resources.

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