Landlords of closed businesses are struggling alongside shops hit by coronavirus restrictions, and a request made to the NSW government to extend rate relief to all of the shire's residents remains in limbo.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Neil Campbell, a self-funded retiree and landlord of a food outlet in Bega that closed at the start of April due to COVID-19 restrictions, said prior to the pandemic he was already on a limited income.
Since it began, his income dropped 60 per cent as his tenant said they can no longer pay the rent as they are unable to work.
He said as landlord he pays rates to Bega Valley Shire Council, but has not been offered any rate relief over the course of the combined disasters of bushfire season and pandemic
"I'm falling through the cracks currently and I'm pretty desperate," he said.
In an email to council on the matter he said when put simply, the food outlet was not destroyed during the fires, but due to the virus lockdown "the business is lost".
"When it comes to rate relief I don't see much coming from council," Mr Campbell told Australian Community Media.
"I think it's immoral to collect the food waste, sewage and recycling rates for a business that's closed."
He is in negotiations with his tenant for a 50 per cent cut to their rent and said council should also offer its ratepaying businesses affected by the COVID-19 fallout a 50 per cent cut to their rates.
On Thursday, council's general manager Leanne Barnes said council was looking at how it can minimise the cost impacts of coronavirus restrictions on businesses and the community in general through a range of options and will continue to evolve this thinking over time.
"We are not looking to reduce or waive charges, but instead to create workable and flexible solutions, like payment plans, to help ease the burden," she said.
Ms Barnes said council has not specifically offered rate relief to landlords due to the pandemic, but a report in its next general meeting notes council not increase any rent or leases for council-owned buildings.
"Council has waived leases licences for buildings we lease out," she said.
"As a tenant of buildings itself, council is not eligible for lease relief."
She said the COVID-19 Pandemic Economic Impact - Financial Assistance report that will go to council's meeting next week outlines current options aimed at minimising the impact of coronavirus restrictions on the community.
Meanwhile, the NSW government has not responded to council's request to allow rate relief to all of the shire's residents, post bushfires.
Earlier this year, the NSW government agreed to cover six months of council rates for individuals who lost their homes and business properties damaged beyond repair by last season's bushfires, AAP reported.
After the announcement BVSC stated it would ask the Minister for Local Government if general rate relief could be extended to all of the shire's ratepayers for six months.
On Thursday, Ms Barnes said council had not yet received a response to its request, but would continue to pursue the matter with the minister.
She said council's economic development team was working closely with local businesses with strategies and support in the wake of both the bushfires and now COVID-19.
"We are strongly encouraging everyone in the community to buy local and to continue to support local business," she said.
"Council is supporting the community by buying goods and services from local businesses wherever possible.
"A significant example of this is the temporary Civil Works Panel created by council to expedite the process of engaging local contractors for the delivery of bushfire recovery-related civil works throughout the Valley."