Council boosts its COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Package
Published on 18 December 2020
Frankston City Council will provide a further $258,500 to helping the community recover from COVID-19.
At its Ordinary Meeting on Monday (14 December) Council voted to increase the value of its May Relief and Recovery Package to $7.121 million.
Frankston City Mayor, Kris Bolam said the enhanced package would complement completed work and that underway to support individuals, businesses and community groups in their recovery.
“Council has so far spent $3.3 million supporting the Frankston City’s recovery from COVID-19 and the evolving needs of our community have become clearer since May.
“That’s why we’re committing these additional funds to further assist those most severely impacted by the pandemic,” Cr Bolam said.
Council staff redeployments valued at $258,500 will be made available to Community Support Frankston (CSF), to assist in providing emergency relief to the community, including distributing donations as part of the CSF Christmas Appeal.
In addition, $200,000 of savings identified in the 2020-21 Capital Works Program will be reallocated as follows:
- $103,000 to Peninsula Community Legal Centre for advocacy and legal services for family violence and tenant’s rights
- $47,000 to the Frankston Charitable Fund to support grant allocations
- $50,000 to ‘top up’ existing grants to attract businesses to operate long-term vacant shop fronts
Peninsula Community Legal Centre CEO, Jackie Galloway, said the outcome of Monday night’s meeting was wonderful news for her organisation and those in the community who needed urgent access to legal services due to the impacts of COVID-19.
“PCLC welcomes Council’s support through the provision of additional funds to assist those experiencing family violence and tenancy issues in Frankston City,” Ms Galloway said.
The $200,000 in capital works savings was initially earmarked for creating parklets on the Nepean Highway as part of Council’s Outdoor Dining Activation program.
Cr Bolam said this was not viable because the parklet permit only allowed for a short-term activation due to bus scheduling impacts.
“That’s why we recommended these savings from the Capital Works Program be used support residents and businesses directly affected by the pandemic and to reactivating our vacant shop fronts.
“This continues to be a challenging time for many in our community and we are united in our dedication to helping them recover and prosper.”
The Mayor added that since the onset of the pandemic, Council had committed $220,000 to assisting local hospitality businesses through fee waivers and well-planned outdoor dining activations, including the construction of parklets.
“Our terrific hospitality venues in Norman Avenue and Culcairn Drive in Frankston South, Wells Street in Frankston and Station Street in Seaford are already experiencing the benefits of our outdoor dining activations.”
The Mayor also thanked the Victorian Government for its $650,000 contribution for outdoor dining activations in Frankston City, including funding for parklets, furniture and marketing.