"These are extraordinary times and we know that many households and businesses in the Shire are doing it tough."
Those are the words from Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale president, Michelle Rich, after the council endorsed a 0 per cent rate increase in the 2020/21 budget.
At a special council meeting on April 6, the Shire voted to develop its next financial budget with the 0 per cent rate increase in an effort to lessen the economic impact of the COVID-19 emergency.
The Shire will also provide donations of up to $5000 to Serpentine Jarrahdale community groups and not-for-profit organisations responding directly to community need during the pandemic.
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With COVID-19 presenting unprecedented challenges for local residents, Cr Rich said the Shire was committed to providing support and relief to the community.
"With tonight's decision to have the 2020/21 Shire Budget developed with a 0% rate increase, we hope this provides ratepayers with certainty regarding their next rates notice," she said.
"As we face these challenging times together, we want to make sure our community groups and not-for-profit organisations can continue to provide the help and support within our community to those in need."
A 'heat map' launched by WA Health last week shows Serpentine Jarrahdale has four cases of COVID-19
The online tool - which anyone can view at healthywa.gov.au - displays only cases of WA residents and excludes numbers from cruise ships and other non-WA cases.
Mandurah is considered one of just four "hotspots" in WA with 24 cases meanwhile the Shires of Murray and Waroona have no confirmed cases.
For more information or to access support and resources, visit the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale's COVID-19 webpage.
