Stimulus package announced as we start to reinstate City services

A lot can happen in a couple of weeks and its great news that our efforts to continue social distancing have paid off with more restrictions being eased by the State Government as of this week. From the City’s perspective, it’s been all systems go ensuring that the services we can reinstate operate as safely as possible for the community. All of our services will be following strict social distancing measures including a maximum number of 20 people at any time, allowing 4 square metres per person and 1.5 metres between people.

This week, all six City libraries will be open with reduced hours and modified services. To cater for as many people as possible, customers will have a time limit of 15 minutes to borrow items or 30 minutes to use computers. In line with State Government’s requirements, customers will be required to register their contact details on entry.

Some of our friendly library staff

When it comes to leisure centres, lap lane swimming will be available at Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre (outdoor 50m & indoor 25m pools) and at Leisurepark Balga (25m pool), subject to Department of Health approval. Lap swimmers will be able to book a one hour time slot – with a limit of 20 people per booking – one booking per person, per day.

A modified group fitness timetable will be available at Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre and Leisurepark Balga. Bookings are required for group fitness classes and there is a limit of 20 people per class. While there will be no access to change rooms, toilet facilities will be available at these venues. Crèche services and cafés remain closed. At this stage, Herb Graham Leisure Centre Mirrabooka, Hamersley Leisure Centre, Scarborough Leisure Centre and Scarborough Beach Pool remain closed.

After a lot of deliberation and number-crunching, council has given the go ahead to an Economic Stimulus and Community Recovery Package worth $43.7 million that includes a zero per cent rate increase this year. Aimed at supporting the community in these trying times, the stimulus package focuses on four key areas – financial relief for ratepayers, business and activation, community and capital investment.

Primarily drawing on the City’s reserves, the stimulus package includes a $4.9 million commitment to freezing rates this year, removing fees associated with paying rates by instalments and providing more flexible payment options. We have also allocated $7 million to supporting small businesses by offering rent reductions, counselling services and delivering new programs aimed at boosting revenue.

Close to $3 million will be dedicated to helping local community groups bounce back and supporting vulnerable members of our community. From providing sporting clubs with financial relief through a grants program to offering a job readiness program for those who need it, we are committed to being a council that supports you.

Hamersley Golf Course is set for an upgrade

Rounding out the stimulus package, we have devoted $28.9 million to a range of capital works projects with an emphasis on labour needs as a way of helping boost jobs. Among the bigger projects are redevelopment of the Recycling Centre Balcatta, a major refurbishment of the Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre and upgrading Hamersley Golf Course.

Looking at some of our newest community projects, we recently teamed up with Vinnies WA to collect non-perishable food items and distribute them as hampers to local people experiencing hardship. The Vinnies store in Balcatta served as a packing area for hundreds of food boxes. With Vinnies stores now re-open or preparing to re-open, the operation has a new home at the Balga Community Centre.

With Andrew York from Vinnies WA at the Balcatta Vinnies store

If you need fresh food or toiletry items kindly provided by SecondBite, Share the Dignity and Vinnies, we host a drive-through service at the Balga Community Centre from Tuesday to Friday, between 1.00pm and 3.00pm. For more details, phone the City’s Community Services Hotline on 1800 729 655. The hotline is available daily from 8.00am to 6.00pm. As well as serving the community, the Vinnies partnership has proved a great hands-on project for some of the City’s temporarily redeployed staff.

Visiting redeployed staff at Balcatta Reserve

Another group of redeployed City staff rolled up their sleeves earlier this month to help add dozens of new trees to Balcatta Reserve. Ranging from crèche workers to leisure staff, the industrious employees planted a total of 33 trees at the parkland just off Balcatta Road. It’s been rewarding to see first-hand how our dedicated employees have adapted to new challenges and duties that have come about due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

To wrap up this blog entry, I would like to encourage potential mentors and mentees to be part of the latest round of the Kaleidoscope Mentoring Program. A joint initiative between the City of Stirling, the City of Canning and the Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre, the program has helped dozens of skilled newcomer professionals – known as mentees – transfer their skills into local jobs.

The three-month mentorship cycles offer insights into Australian workplace culture and recruitment practices, as well as ways to network with industry professionals and fellow migrants in similar situations. Due to the continuing COVID-19 situation, this next mentorship cycle will move online. Mentors and mentees interested in taking part in this next cycle (July to October 2020) will need to apply by Sunday 31 May 2020. Please click here for details.