COVID-19 has, and continues to have, significant impacts on our community.

At our Council meeting on Tuesday 26 September, further financial relief measures, to the value of $1.5 million, were unanimously approved.

Councillors spoke emotionally about the discussions they had had with community members and the stories they had heard.

This package is in addition to the $4.6 million of relief measures we have provided since the pandemic began (equating to approximately 5% of Manningham’s general rate revenue).

Manningham Mayor, Cr Andrew Conlon, said this new relief package would help support those in our community most in need while ensuring Manningham’s financial sustainability.

“There has been a significant impact on our community over the last 19 months and we have been there to help. But we know the impacts are not over yet.  We will continue to support our community by providing targeted financial relief, assisting those most in need. As we move into the recovery phase, we want to enable our community and neighbours to reconnect. We want to start to see our community back doing what they love and enjoy,” he said.

The relief measures of $1.5 million will go towards:

• $250,000 for business support
• $230,000 for not-for-profit support
• $260,000 for recreation clubs support
• $460,000 rent relief for commercial tenants
• $300,000 rent relief and other financial support for community group tenants including recreation club tenants.

For more information, visit manningham.vic.gov.au/our-covid-19-community-relief-package.