MidCoast Council will be able to direct an extra $689,885 into frontline COVID-19 response efforts and community services through the NSW government's funding of the local government increase in the 2020-21 emergency services levy (ESL).
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Revenue NSW will soon issue MidCoast Council with its ESL assessment notice as required by legislation. The Office of Local Government will pay a grant equivalent to the increase in council's ESL contribution for 2020-21.
The same applies for all NSW councils.
Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead said the recent local government economic stimulus package includes $32.76 million to fund this year's increase for councils across the State.
"Our emergency services have long been funded through a cost sharing arrangement between insurers, councils and the government," Mr Bromhead said.
"While we all acknowledge the importance of supporting our emergency services workers, local councils simply cannot afford this financial impost in the wake of COVID-19, bushfires and drought.
"This funding injection will allow MidCoast Council to redirect funds to critical core services and deliver financial support for the local community."
Local Government Minister Shelly Hancock said the crisis has hit councils hard financially and the State government is determined to limit the impacts.
"I am pleased to have secured this funding injection for our local councils which they can redirect to core community services and providing financial support for their local communities," Mrs Hancock said.
Earlier this week, Cr West told the Times the package ensures they are prepared for the unknown in relation to the virus.
"COVID-19 has an unknown impact- we don't know how long this will go for," Cr West said.
"Some have speculated it could be 20 to 30 months so we need to plan for that and take it into consideration."
