COVID-19 Towards Recovery

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The COVID-19 pandemic made 2020 a very challenging time for many in our community.

Since the pandemic began, the Shire has been supporting the Mornington Peninsula community.

In 2021/22 (financial year) the Shire will invest over $10million in recovery projects, programs, and initiatives. These actions will contribute to the lasting resilience and renewal of the Peninsula.

Download: COVID-19 Towards Recovery(PDF, 1MB)

How you can help our community recover

What we are doing to help our community recover

Read the full details about what we are doing by downloading our Priority COVID-19 Recovery Actions(PDF, 1MB).

The Shire has a Financial Hardship Policy and reduced or waived $1 million worth of fees for local businesses, community groups and individuals doing it tough due to COVID-19. Download: Financial Hardship Policy COVID-19 

Selected fees and charges have been waived or reduced across the areas of hospitality, events, live entertainment, the arts and sport – areas hardest hit by COVID restrictions. 

The fee reductions are as follows:

  • Hospitality – footpath trading – 100% reduction
  • Events and live entertainment – busking permits, Place of Public Entertainment (POPE) fees, events fees and charges – 100% reduction
  • The arts - artists in residence Policy Point – 50% reduction
  • Sports club lease and licenses – 50% reduction
  • 40 child swimming lessons for families experiencing financial hardship – 100% reduction

In addition, a new General Financial Hardship Policy has been introduced for anyone in the community struggling to pay other types of Council fees and charges. Download: General Financial Hardship Policy.

Our actions and initiatives are focused on:

  1. Ensuring the health and wellbeing of our people
  2. Reactivating the peninsula
  3. Building disaster resilience
  4. Connecting our community
  5. Supporting business recovery and build economic resilience
  6. Revitalising cultural, creative and recreation industries
  7. Ensuring a green and sustainable recovery.

COVID Recovery Grants

As part of Council’s $10 million recovery package adopted earlier this year, over $2 million has now been allocated to a COVID-19 Recovery Grant program to provide direct financial support to those who have been most impacted by the ongoing lockdowns and restrictions.  View all grants on our Grants and Funding page.

Latest news

Achievements

We provided crucial support to local business through:

  • COVID-19 relief (quick response) grants
  • extended outdoor dining areas
  • free online business workshops
  • a Support Local campaign with online business directory
  • reinvigorated townships through activating shopping strips
  • introduced parklets to welcome the community back safely.

We supported our arts and culture sector and helped connect our townships with:

  • art and music programs
  • public art trails
  • augmented reality trails
  • community Bin Art project
  • Carols by Headlight
  • Peninsula Culture Collective
  • local history projects.

We made the entire organisation COVID-19 focused by:

  • activating the Municipal Emergency Management Plan and protocols
  • establishing the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Committee
  • establishing the Strategic Recovery Office.