Central Coast Council will call on the Federal and State Governments to direct economic stimulus packages to local government in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Lisa Matthews said in a mayoral minute put to Council’s March 23 meeting, that stimulus packages must include substantial funding and resources for councils to help drive local economic recovery.
“We need to ensure that there is local employment and support of local businesses across NSW, as well as ongoing investment in public infrastructure and community services for the public good,” she said.
“We need all governments to work hand in hand with councils to help the community move beyond this pandemic and prosper in the future.”
In her mayoral minute, Cr Matthews said the effects of coronavirus on communities had been being seen across the globe since November, 2019.
“For our Central Coast community, we are faced with a further challenge after experiencing local bushfires and floods,” she said.
“Whilst recovery efforts are still underway following those events, it is important to acknowledge the further impact that the coronavirus will have on our community and the local economy.
“Local councils are best placed to deliver locally led solutions, including recovery efforts and economic stimulus, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, as demonstrated during bushfires, drought and floods.
“We know that economic stimulus provided to local governments during the Global Financial Crisis was effective in generating significant local economic recovery for Australia.”
The mayoral minute was passed unanimously.
But Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the State Government already had a $2.3B Stimulus Package designed to protect jobs and protect the community.
“This includes a $700M health boost, $250M for additional cleaning of public assets, and $500M for shovel ready infrastructure projects,” Crouch said.
“Central Coast residents and businesses will absolutely benefit from this.
“The last thing the NSW Government would ever do is write a blank cheque to Central Coast Council.”
Crouch said all levels of government needed to work together to protect jobs and the community.
Source:
Mayoral Minute, item 1.3
Central Coast Council meeting, Mar 23
Media statement, Mar 25
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch