#BeConnectedBusiness

The City of Belmont has announced a range of assistance measures to help alleviate current financial burdens experienced by businesses in light of COVID-19.

What decisions impact your business?

Council voted to:

• Endorse the application of a zero % increase in rate revenue for the 2020-2021 financial year.
• Request the Chief Executive Officer to reiterate whenever possible to the State Government the need for the triennial revaluation to be delayed to ensure that individual ratepayers are not impacted by a redistribution of rates between properties due to valuation changes.
• Endorse the reduction of the Sanitation Service fees by 5% for the 2020-2021 financial year and reduce the fee for non-rateable properties to equate to the standard rubbish fee.
• Waive Rates Penalty Interest for the balance of 2019-2020 to recognise immediate impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on ratepayers.
• Endorse freezing the rates instalment fee, instalment interest, penalty interest and alternative arrangement fee at 2019-2020 values for 2020-2021.
• Continue to provide a discount of 5% for full payment of rates by due date for the 2020-2021 financial year to encourage those who can afford to pay to do so by the due date.
• Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to apply increased flexibility in the application of Policy BEXB7.4, including by allowing for an extended time to pay outstanding rates, where considered appropriate as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic until 30 June 2021.
• Endorse freezing Settlement Enquiry Fees at 2019-2020 values for the 2020-2021.
• Endorse the Credit Card Merchant Services Fee to be charged only for credit card transactions for an amount of $100,000 or above, effective as soon as possible.
• Endorse the waiver of rent charges on Council leased properties, on application by the tenant due to COVID-19 pandemic impacts, for the initial period of 31 March 2020 to 30 September 2020.
• Delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer to waive the Planning, Building, Health and Animal Registration fees under the City’s control as identified in this report until 30 June 2021.
• Endorse consideration for the funding of Small Business Advisory Services ($20,000) for the 2020-2021 Annual Budget.
• Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to apply a Local Purchasing Premium of up to 10% under Policy BEXB7.1 Purchasing (1)(iv) where all other quality, service and environmental impacts are negligible until 30 June 2021.
• Create a Hardship Relief Policy where the CEO can respond to those negatively impacted by the State of Emergency whether they are residents, businesses or community groups.

To read more about the decisions made by Council, visit our website.

At the 28 April 2020 Ordinary Council Meeting, Council resolved to implement a number of measures to facilitate recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures include providing financial relief and support developers and businesses in our community. The City is working towards implementing fee waivers and discounts for planning, building, and health applications from 1 July 2020. A summary of the waivers and discounts is outlined below (from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021):

Full waiver of fees for the following development applications:

• Change of Use applications (usual fee of $295).
• Signage applications (usual fee of $100).
• Development with an estimated cost up to $50,000 (usual fee of $147).

Fee discounts for development with an estimated cost greater than $50,000:

• For applications subject to Design Review process – upfront discount of 30% to the application fee (fee rate outlined under category 1b to 1f of fee schedule); and
• For all applications, a cash back discount of 50% of the full application fee (subject to application for a building permit within one year of receiving development approval).

This equates to a minimum discount of 50%, and a total discount of 80% for Design Review Panel applications (in recognition of the investment and commitment to design excellence).

Full waiver of fees for building permit applications:

• All Certified Building Permit Applications;
• Occupancy Permits (excluding s.51 unauthorised works); and
• Demolition Permits.

Full waiver of fees for health applications:

• Food Notification, Registration and Fit Out fees;
• Section 39 Application fees;
• Public Building and Public Building Event fees;
• Noise approval fees (excluding Noise Monitoring fees by City Officers);
• Pool sampling and registration fees;
• Permits associated with Stall holders and Traders, outdoor dining and street entertainers;
• Licences associated with registered stables premises;
• Lodging houses, caravan parks, offensive trades and septic system applications; and
• Inspection fees associated with shop fit outs, septic and greywater system inspections and food premises settlements.

For further information, please contact the City by phone on 9477 7222 or email belmont@belmont.wa.gov.au.

The Australian Business Economic Impact Survey (ABEIS) is an initiative from data specialists REMPLAN to respond to the rapid change experienced by businesses as a result of COVID-19.

In order for local governments such as the City of Belmont to plan for the future and support recovery from COVID-19, local insights are needed into the impact on our business community.

The survey is specifically targeting insights around change in employment and economic impact.

Insights from the survey and subsequent REMPLAN analysis will be provided to federal, state and local governments to enable a targeted response that addresses the impact to local businesses and local employment.

Take the Survey.

Is your business closed or do you have changed operating hours?

The City of Belmont offers crime prevention assistance.

If your premises is closed, ensure that it is locked, secure and checked on a regular basis. See the City's BeCrimeFree website for tips on securing your property and to complete an online security assessment. Need extra help? Request for the City of Belmont Community Watch to make extra patrols in the area where your business is located by contacting 1300 655 011.

If you See Something, Say Something. If something isn't reported, it hasn't happened! Contact:

• Police on 131 444 (000 in an emergency) to report criminal or anti-social behaviour

• Report suspicious behaviour to the Community Watch Patrols on 1300 655 011. They will attend an incident and will contact Police if required.

• Report any other information that may assist Police to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.