Ipswich Council fast-tracks $7.5 million into local economy

Ipswich City Council has this week fast-tracked $7.5 million worth of payments to contractors.

Council has initiated a 7-day payment cycle, a significant reduction to the normal 30-day billing period for all contractors.

This means council will this week pay more than $11 million for goods and services to the region’s businesses – a large increase on the normal weekly payments of about $3.5 million.

“We will continue to need the goods and services of our business partners and we will prioritise your payments,” CEO David Farmer said.

“This is just one way we can help our business community retain some liquidity during what is fast becoming one of the most severe economic downturns in modern history.”

In addition, council will this week begin refunding and waiving a wide range of council fees and charges for the period March 1 to June 30, 2020.

Council last week announced that for the four months from March 1 until June 30, it would:

• Waive footpath dining fees;
• Waive or refund food licence fees;
• Waive or refund temporary food stall/premises fees;
• Waive or refund temporary event fees;
• Waive or refund fees associated with the use of parks;
• Waive or refund booking fees for community venues; and
• Refund booking fees for all cancelled events on council property.

In addition, council would:

• Launch a new internet portal which will explain all the grants available to businesses and community organisations;
• Increase Ipswich Libraries’ borrowing limits to 50 items, and borrowing time to eight weeks; and
• Send our Active and Healthy program digital, offering yoga and bootcamp sessions online.

Council has since implemented a digital format for its Ipswich Libraries Story Time sessions.