Shire adds extra time to pay ‘hardship’ debts Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council will extend its financial hardship policy until 31 August to help ratepayers hit hard by the coronavirus. This will apply to all rateable properties – not just primary residences – and is for debtors seeking relief. No interest will be charged on any outstanding balances until after that date. The council does not propose writing off any debts owing outside of requests for the waiving of interest. Debt will still be due and payable, but with greater flexibility offered on repayments. The council adopted the revised hardship policy moved by Cr Antonella Celi and seconded by Cr Bryan Payne at its 26 May meeting. It included a direction that officers report back to councillors on the “implementation and impact of the adjusted hardship policy”. Revenue management team leader Vanessa Lawless proposed temporary support for financial relief for fees or rates and charges raised in the 2019-20 financial year – and 2020-21 if required – without waiving any rates. “This applies to individuals and businesses who require assistance, having suffered from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and are in addition
to the existing hardship policy for rates currently in place for owner-occupiers,” she said. In her report she said the global pandemic was declared on 30 January and a state of emergency was declared in Victoria on 16 March. “In times of crisis it is important to remember that council still requires cash flow to deliver critical services to the community, however, it is also recognised that the … pandemic will cause significant financial hardship for members of the community,” she said. “The proposed short-term changes will provide direction to … officers when collecting debts … and ensure council takes into consideration the financial hardship facing debtors caused by COVID-19. “Council will endeavour to assist those in financial hardship, while ensuring it does not jeopardise the funding of its operations.” Debtors will be encouraged to set up a payment plan to reduce the amount owing after the pandemic. Ms Lawless said the “total deferral of all financial responsibilities due to an event can cause a secondary bout of financial stress when the event has concluded and bills are owed”. A report on council’s cash-flow will be included council’s quarterly finance report.
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Facelift for lighthouse MCCRAE Lighthouse will receive $1 million for urgent conservation works under the state government’s Living Heritage Program. The landmark, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register, needs repairs as a result of its age and the harsh conditions it has endured over the past 137 years. The works will repair or replace the lighthouse’s gutters, windows, balcony and copper dome and will also include sandblasting and repainting of the riveted iron structure. Reportedly the state’s tallest at 31 metres and an essential
Port Phillip navigation aid, McCrae Lighthouse was built in Birmingham in 1874 and shipped to McCrae in 1883. Its beam guided mariners through the South Channel on the eastern side of Port Phillip from the 1850s until it was turned off by the Port of Melbourne Authority in 1994. “McCrae Lighthouse is a popular destination for locals and visitors to the Mornington Peninsula, so this funding boost will have cultural and economic benefits for our community,” Nepean MP Chris Brayne said.
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1079 Point Nepean Road, Rosebud Mornington News 9 June 2020
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