Support for residents and community

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Financial

The City of Cockburn is providing residents and community groups facing financial hardship with a range of options, including:

The deferment of rate payments for three months or the ability to enter into a more generous payment arrangement
Removal of penalty interest and other charges on rates until 30 June
Defer repayments of existing debts for three months for community based debtors
More affordable payment options for Naval Base shack lessees
Full refund on all cancelled bookings and events at City facilities
Sporting Clubs COVID Support Package - Stage : assistance paying ongoing costs to ensure clubs remain financially viable
Delay on final notices and referrals to Fines Enforcement Registry for issued infringements until 30 June
A more lenient approach from the City with infringements. Cautions will be issued where appropriate.

The City is currently drafting the 2020/21 Municipal budget for Council consideration based on an overall zero increase to rates (other than from growth). It had, along with the local government sector generally, requested for the Local Government Minister to defer the Gross Rental Value (GRV) revaluation scheduled to apply for 2020/21. This measure would have ensured a zero rate increase for all properties, however the State Government has now confirmed that the GRV revaluation will apply in 2020/21. This is disappointing and means that while the City can aim for an overall zero increase in rates, some individual properties will still receive an increase because of the relative change to their particular GRV.

Budget measures adopted by Council at its meeting on 9 April included the removal of interest and other fees and charges on rates for the remainder of this financial year. Council also adopted the following position in respect to the preparation of the 2020/21 budget:

The draft 2020/21 budget be prepared for Council adoption on the following basis:

A zero percentage average increase to rates
Freezing of all City determined fees and charges at 2019/2020 levels
Eliminating instalment and penalty interest on rates as well as other associated fees and charges
Removing the mandatory waste service levy from those commercial/ industrial properties not using the City’s waste service
Including a Sporting Clubs COVID Support Package – Stage 2, which will provide short term hire fee relief or reduction for when the City’s facilities are reopened
Providing options for rent relief to tenants of City owned or controlled premises, commensurate with demonstrated COVID-19 impacts.

If you are experiencing difficulties paying your rates, please contact Customer Service on c ustomer@cockburn.wa.gov.au or call 08 9411 3444.

For information on what financial support the City is providing businesses, visit the business page.

General Support

We have assessed all services and have adapted our plans to include a focus around how best to look after the vulnerable people in our community. These plans are based on existing Local Emergency Management Arrangements.

Seniors Centre and Cockburn Care

Cockburn Seniors Centre

The centre is closed, although we are providing support to members who have made contact with the centre. The team are producing on-line and mail out newsletters for members, and are working on developing at home activities to help people connect with others. If you are over 50 and would like to receive our newsletters and/or at home activities, call 08 9411 3877 or email csc@cockburn.wa.gov.au.

Cockburn Care

Cockburn Care is continuing to support the elderly in Cockburn. The services are being modified to minimise risk to our vulnerable clients and our staff:

Clients are encouraged to purchase online as they will not be taken shopping
Support Workers will shop for clients if online shopping is not an option
Regular phone social support is available
Cockburn Care Social Clubs and Kwobarup Aboriginal Club buildings are closed. Phone support continues for these clients.

Call 08 9411 3780 or email cockburncare@cockburn.wa.gov.au. People needing aged care services can ring ‘My Aged Care’ on 1800 200 422.

Childcare, Youth and Family

Childcare

City of Cockburn Childcare Services continues to operate under strict guidelines. The Family Daycare Service continues to provide early childhood education and care within the approved Educator’s home. The In-Home Childcare Service continues to provide early childhood education and care within the child’s home to eligible families. For further information, call 08 9411 3301.

Cockburn Youth Services

The Youth Centre building is closed however the team are working on potential ways to deliver programs on-line, including Dungeons and Dragons, music lessons, LGBTIQA Diversity Alliance and Drama
Youth Development – the Youth Advisory and Youoth Leadership Groups are continuing on-line.
Youth Support Services – all clients in Jam and Outreach are being supported. Outreach staff are still providing outreach in person (observing the Governments physical distancing direction) and by phone to the vulnerable young people in our communities.

For more information call 08 9411 3444 or email youth@cockburn.wa.gov.au

Family and Community Development

Community Development - all services are continuing (Aboriginal Community Development, Disability Access & Inclusion, Children's Development and Cultural Diversity), offering information, support and connection to relevant online groups and activities through telephone and on-line contact
Family Services
- Financial Counselling - delivering a full free service via phone appointments on 08 9411 3444.
- Cockburn Support Service - providing free counselling, advocacy, information and referral via phone appointments for depression or sadness, grief or loss, stress or anxiety, relationship issues, self-esteem and anger managemnt. Call 08 9411 3859.
- Cockburn Parenting - this free service continues to be delivered via individual phone appointments, providing support for parents, grandparents and carers. Parenting classes, workshops and support groups will be available as soon as possible online, either live or recorded. Call 08 9411 3855.
Sign up to our free online parent eNews, Cockburn Kids here by choosing the 'Children and Family' eNews option.

Volunteering and Grants/Donations

Volunteer Resource Centre

Volunteer services are continuing. Please note the Volunteer Resource Centre office is closed, however printing and other services can still be arranged. Contact staff on 08 9411 3444 or email volunteering@cockburn.wa.gov.au

Grants and Donations

Services are continuing via phone and online.

Financial Counselling

Cockburn Financial Counselling

This free service is continuing and taking appointments by phone on 08 9411 3444.

Community Development

Please contact Community Development to discuss your ideas/activities/projects on 08 9411 3444 or email.

Events, group health programs and sporting activities

To find out if City run events have been cancelled, postponed or are going ahead, please visit our e vents page. Some of the major community events that have been cancelled include the following:

What events have been cancelled?

Citizenship Ceremony (20 April). Events beyond this date will be confirmed closer to the time.
Show-Off 16 (28 March - 5 April)
Cockburn Cultural Fair (4 April)
ANZAC Day Dawn Service & Parade (25 April)
ANZAC Day Youth Parade (29 April)
Seniors Dinner Dance (2 May)
Pioneers Luncheon and WA Day Award (29 May)

Many more have been cancelled or postponed. Please see our events page for more information.

City group health programs and sporting activities

City group health programs

The following City managed/ run group health programs have been postponed: HEAL, Food sensations for parents, MAN v FAT, Diabetes WA education sessions and the Heart Foundation Walking Groups. For more information read our health programs.

Sporting activities

Outdoor personal training activities have been restricted to two people, including the trainer. All gyms, sporting clubs and other sporting activities have ceased, including the use of clubrooms. For more information visit the State Government website.

Community Engagement

What projects are open for consultation?

Current community consultations are proceeding, with most offering online forums for you to comment or provide feedback at Comment on Cockburn opens in a new window.