Central Coast Council will be able to direct over $1 million into COVID-19 response efforts and core services, thanks to the NSW Government fully funding the local government increase in the Emergency Services Levy (ESL) for 2020-21.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the NSW Government’s local government stimulus package included funding to cover the ESL increase.
“Central Coast Council will receive a credit of $1,093,869 from the NSW Government which can be redirected into providing services and building infrastructure,” Mr Crouch said.
“This funding injection is part of the Government’s $395 million local government stimulus package that will also safeguard the jobs of Council staff.
“This is the second year the NSW Government has stepped in to help Council fund the ESL increase, which was first introduced to pay for new workers’ compensation arrangements for firefighters with cancer.”
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said the COVID-19 crisis has hit councils hard financially and the NSW Government is determined to limit the impacts and allow councils to deliver for communities across the State.
“I am pleased to have secured this funding injection for our local councils which they can redirect to core community services and providing financial support for their local communities,” Mrs Hancock said.
Revenue NSW will shortly issue councils with their ESL assessment notices for 2020-21 as required by legislation. The Office of Local Government will then pay a grant to each council equivalent to the increase in their ESL contribution for 2020-21, with payments to be made in the first quarter of the 2020-21 financial year.