Council green lights $3.86 million investment for COVID-19 recovery

Published on 07 July 2021

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Frankston City Council has reaffirmed and underscored its support to COVID-19 recovery initiatives with a $3.86 million investment to help our community to recover from COVID-19 – taking Council’s total support in the Relief and Recovery Package to $9.128 million

The $3.86 million is a key component in 2021 – 2025 Council Plan and Budget adopted by Councillors at their 28 June Council Meeting following extensive community consultation and engagement.

Mayor Kris Bolam said the Coronavirus pandemic has created significant difficulties for residents, businesses, sporting and community groups and Council is united in its determination to support the community as it recovers from the challenges of COVID-19.

“While we’re all in this together, Frankston City is a diverse community with diverse needs, which is why Council has ensured its Relief and Recovery Package has something for those in need ranging from economic stimulus grants, support for mental health and the most vulnerable, student grants, Meals on Wheels and much more,” the Mayor said.

Council Director Communities, Dr Gillian Kay, said the Relief and Recovery Package features significant supports covering community and economic recovery and a separate Stimulus Package.

“Business is critical to the economic life of Frankston City – that’s why the Relief and Recovery Package includes $1.352 million grants and programs. This recognises and acknowledges the importance of supporting our hardworking businesses operators as well as attracting investment, growth and enhancing existing and future employment opportunities,” Dr Kay said.

Dr Kay said Council’s support for business is underscored by $200,000 funding to re-establish the former Frankston Business Chamber as the Frankston Business and Industry Chamber.

“This is an exciting initiative which will provide critical representation and advocacy to assist our business operators to thrive. The new Frankston Business and Industry Chamber will provide essential leadership to help economic recovery from the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic,” Dr Kay said.

Dr Kay added the Relief and Recovery Package includes a $500,000 grant for key charity Community Support Frankston (CSF), which provides vital assistance to Frankston City’s most vulnerable residents.

“While we’re focused on the need to stimulate economic recovery in Frankston City and support residents with a wide range of grants and programs, Council is also acutely aware of the need to walk side by side with Frankton City’s disadvantaged with significant funding for CSF,” Dr Kay said.

Community Support Frankston client, Aafreen, said the assistance has been critical, adding: “We weren’t eligible for any other help when I lost my job and our father passed away. My mother, brother and I would have been lost without Community Support Frankston.”

Council’s $3.86 million investment for COVID-19 recovery support includes:

Community Recovery ($1.010 million)

  • Community recovery grants ($100,000) for retained and improved connectivity of the community and its support of residents. 
  • Student grants program ($10,000) to assist retention of students in education and training.
  • Community Support Frankston material aid grant ($500,000) to support residents experiencing hardship and vulnerability.
  • Continued relief and recovery triage service ($150,000) to support residents experiencing hardship and mental health issues.
  • Mental Health support programs ($100,000) enabling community members to undertake training so they can provide vital assistance during crisis situations.

Meals on Wheels support ($150,000) for the provision of nutritious meals for eligible at risk clients.

Economic Recovery ($1.352 million)

  • Fee relief totalling $220,000 including the first two hours free parking in Council owned off street car parks in the Frankston City centre to aid economic activity ($93,000), new food registrations to incentivise new businesses ($50,000), kerbside trading permit fee for the retention and growth of outdoor dining ($50,000); and A frame signage to provide financial relief for businesses ($27,000).
  • Economic grants ($25,000) for local artists to enable new works for exhibition.
  • Invest Frankston Business grants ($170,000) to stimulate and attract new and expanded business activity – taking the total funding pool to $350,000.
  • Frankston Business and Industry Chamber ($200,000) to re-establish the former Frankston Business Chamber.
  • Shop facade improvement grants ($100,000) to transform shop fronts and thus increase economic activity.
  • Business training, mentoring, Council’s business concierge service and networking services ($200,000) to increase capability and innovation.
  • Invest Frankston marketing campaign ($100,000) to enhance perceptions of Frankston and attract investment.
  • Development of a calendar of seasonal activations and events ($100,000) to boost visitor numbers.
  • Buy local reward program and marketing campaign ($237,000) to increase economic activity and boost business.

Stimulus Package ($1.5 million)

South Ward Cr Claire Harvey said: “We’re aware this has been an incredibly challenging period for residents, businesses, community groups and sporting organisations. That’s why the Budget includes a $1.5 million Stimulus Package.”

Cr Harvey said the Package includes $400,000 rate relief of $200 hardship waiver to eligible ratepayers, adding: “This provides essential relief for owner occupiers at a time many need it most. This highlights Council’s determination to assist during this difficult time.”

The Stimulus Package includes $1.1 million ratepayer rewards – a discount voucher program enabling Frankston City ratepayers to choose from one of three offers, including discounted Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) and Frankston Arts Centre vouchers, or a discount on an at-call hard waste collection.

Cr Harvey noted that unspent funds from the previous 2020/21 Relief and Recovery Package have been carried over and included in the 2021/22 Package – taking Council’s total support in the Relief and Recovery Package to $9.128 million.

For more information, please visit www.frankston.vic.gov.au

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