COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Package

Published on 06 September 2021

Frankston City Council has committed a total of $9,128,000 towards the Covid-19 Relief and Recovery Package.  This was initially $5,268,000 at June 30, 2021 and then boosted by $3,860,000 in the 2021–2025 Council Plan and Budget.  

Supporting individuals

Financial hardship from loss of income due to COVID-19 has impacted residents, with Council grants for individuals aimed at fulfilling both basic needs and maintaining pathways for recovery. These include:

• An additional $400,000 to continue providing $200 rate relief waivers for those experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19
• Economic grants of $25,000 for local artists to enable new works for exhibition
• Inclusion grants for school-aged children under 18 to pay fees at sporting clubs
• Community Support Frankston provided $825,000 in 2020-2021, and an additional $500,000 for welfare assistance to individuals and families in 2021-2022
• Meals on Wheels support ($150,000) to help provide nutritious meals for eligible at risk clients
• Youth Grants of up to $600 for 12-24 year olds for education resources to support employment prospects ($9,733 awarded in 2020-2021) and a further $10,000 committed to assist retention of students in education and training

Community recovery

Supporting the community to build resilience and remain connected is a critical focus for Council in providing recovery related assistance such as:

• COVID-19 Recovery Grants of up to $3,000 for community groups and organisations, for items including equipment, rent, bills and recovery initiatives. ($363,231 awarded to 87 recipients in 2020-2021)
• COVID-19 Urgent Relief Grants of up to $1,000 for community groups for items including rent, utilities and equipment. Can also be used to provide emergency community care. ($50,710 awarded to 19 recipients)
• Continued relief and recovery triage service ($150,000) to support residents experiencing hardship and mental health issues
• Mental Health support programs ($100,000) enabling community members to undertake training so they can provide vital assistance during crisis situations

Supporting our economy and employment

Council’s business grant program pool for those directly impacted by COVID-19 was increased to $450,000 for 2020-2021 and has been significantly bolstered by the revitalised Relief and Recovery Package for 2021-2022. 

The Relief and Recovery Package now includes $1,352,000 in grants and programs to support business operators, attract investment and enhance employment opportunities.

Support and funding commitments made during 2020-2021 include:

• The former Frankston Business Chamber to be re-established as the Frankston Business and Industry Chamber to help lead recovery ($500,000)
• COVID-19 Fast Business Grants of $1,500 per business are available from a Council pool of $270,000 to support ongoing operations. ($86,614 awarded to 57 applicants in 2020-2021)
• In partnership with the Victorian Government, Council is offering shopfront activation grants of up to $27,000 to revitalise vacant spaces and kerbside dining
• Encouragement Grants worth $2,000 for outdoor dining opportunities
• Invest Frankston Business grants totalling $170,000 to stimulate and attract new and expanded business activity – taking the total funding pool to $350,000
• Fee relief valued at $220,000, reducing costs around outdoor dining, city parking, food registrations and signage
• Shop facade improvement grants ($100,000) to transform shop fronts and thus increase economic activity
• Improving capability and innovation with increased access to business training and mentoring through Council’s business concierge service and networking services ($200,000)
• Invest Frankston marketing campaign ($100,000) to enhance perceptions of Frankston and attract investment
• Development of a calendar of seasonal activations and events ($100,000) to boost visitor numbers
• Buy local reward program and marketing campaign ($237,000) to boost economic activity
• Discount voucher program ($1,100,000) enabling ratepayers to choose one of the following: discounts at Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC), Frankston Arts Centre vouchers, or a discount on an at-call hard waste collection.