Administrators Message April 27th 2020
As we pass another important date while we continue to battle the COVID-19 crisis we hope that
everyone in South Gippsland was able to recognise ANZAC Day their own way this year. Even though
we were unable to attend the services and commemorate in the way we usually would, each of us took
the time to honour our servicemen and women for their service and sacrifice.
Many held their own private remembrance at their front gates by conducting a ‘stand to’ as a sign of
respect. It certainly is a wonderful sentiment and demonstrates our ongoing ability to adapt to the
current times. We do however look forward to the future when we will all be able to come together
again for these important events.
This week we’ve made significant decisions at the April Council Meeting which included endorsing the
proposed Annual Budget with a proposed $2 million support package for COVID-19. As Administrators
we are proud that our team has been able to come together within a matter of weeks with a package
that will support our community in such uncertain times now and into recovery.
The $2 million COVID-19 support package includes a COVID-19 Hardship Policy to support residents
having trouble making rate repayments, the option of interest-free rate deferrals for local businesses
and an expanded grants program that will allow for more grant recipients and the introduction of a new
business grants stream.
We’ve also included subsidised flu shots, waiving of some business permit fees and the development
of a community outreach program in partnership with other key agencies to provide community
support.
Both the Annual Budget and the $2 million COVID-19 support package are proposed at this stage and
we are now asking for our community’s input to ensure that what we are offering is exactly what our
community members need.
Similarly, the Draft Council Plan 2020-24 is also out for the community to review. The Council Plan is
fundamental to Council’s function as it determines the priorities and actions required over the next four
years which are supported by the Council Budget. For more information on how to review and make a
submission on both the Council Plan and Annual Budget please visit Council’s website
www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au. Submissions will be accepted until 28 May.
We would like to take the time to acknowledge all our emergency service people who have been
working so hard over the last couple of months. We wish them all the best and we thank them for their
service. This includes all our emergency services, health care providers, cleaners and should be
extended to our supermarkets and stores which continue to remain open and our farmers who are
working hard to feed our nation at the moment.
We’d like to recognise the businesses in our community who are not only working hard to keep their
own operations going, but also supporting others at this challenging time. One example of this is the
generous donation from ViPlus of 100,000 face masks for the use of health and community
agencies. Distribution of these masks is currently being planned through our Municipal Emergency
Management Planning Committee and we are ever so grateful for the contribution.
We want to continue to say thank you to our community who have been exceptional at adhering to and
understanding the importance of the current ‘Stay at Home’ measures which are keeping everyone
safe. We know this is difficult but with the reduced infection rates of Coronavirus across the State it is
heartening to see that our actions are making a difference. Stay strong and keep it up!
Thank you to everyone who has taken it upon themselves to check in on others and support their
neighbours – you all understand the true meaning behind community. You are all the unsung heroes in
this situation and we want to ensure you know your generosity is appreciated. The many phone calls,
picking up of groceries and cooking meals to provide others has been wonderful to hear of and it really
does bring us together as a community – even stronger than we already are.
These gestures of kindness can make all the difference to those who may be isolated and vulnerable in
these circumstances. We owe it to each other to do all that we can to look after one another and we
thank everyone in South Gippsland who has been doing just that.
Julie Eisenbise, Christian Zahra AM and Rick Brown – Administrators