Horsham Rural City Council is offering interest-fee payment plans for rates and other charges to assist those "doing it tough " during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Council has also waived operating costs such as footpath trading permit fees and registration charges for businesses until the end of the financial year.
Chief executive Sunil Bhalla said council was expecting a significant increase in people reaching out for help.
"I think we're going to be in a difficult period for quite some time," he said.
"That includes everyone from residents, businesses, community and sporting groups and council itself is facing financial challenges as well.
Right now there are many issues that are causing great stress to everyone in the community and, rather than adding to the pressure, we want people to come and talk to us if they are struggling to pay their bills.
- Horsham Rural City Council chief executive Sunil Bhalla
"We understand council has an obligation to help take some of the pressure off our community and we want to make it clear we will not be adding unnecessary monetary pressure on people."
Interest-free payment plans and deferments would also be in place until at least the end of the financial year, with council set to review the arrangements in June.
To implement these financial assistance measures, Horsham council has redeployed Horsham and Grampians Visitor Information Centre team leader Andrea Hogan into a new role of financial hardship co-ordinator.
She will be the first point of contact for any person needing more time to settle rates and other charges.
Mr Bhalla said each case would be assessed on individual circumstances with outcomes customised according to the need of each case.
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"Right now there are many issues that are causing great stress to everyone in the community and, rather than adding to the pressure, we want people to come and talk to us if they are struggling to pay their bills," he said.
"We need to show compassion and understanding for those who have lost their jobs and the wonderful small business owners and operators we have in our municipality."
Mr Bhalla said all these measures would reduce income available to the council, with the exact amount dependent on how many deferment requests were received.
Lost income from free parking and deferred street trading permits has been estimated to be between $70,000 to $90,000.
"Council is reviewing its budget to accommodate the reduction in revenue and increased costs associated with the impacts of the COVID-19 emergency," Mr Bhalla said.
He said people could access the council's financial assistance services by submitting a request online, calling 5382 9777 or emailing council@hrcc.vic.gov.au.
The move comes after Yarriambiack Shire Council announced they would waive interest on 2019/20 rates arrears and penalties on animal registrations and health premise registration.
Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor Rob Gersch said no decision had been made at this stage on providing financial relief on rates and other charges.
"Some councils wouldn't be able to afford it so were are looking at government support," he said.
West Wimmera Shire Council chief executive David Leahy said businesses would still be expected to register but they wouldn't be expected to pay their fees in the current economic climate.
"We have to be mindful of the impact on small businesses," he said. "We are also having conversations over the next couple of weeks with sporting groups and other community organisations to see how they are going."
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Eliza Berlage
Eliza Berlage made the move to Horsham to report for the Wimmera Mail-Times in October 2019. Originally from Sydney, she has a sociology background and spent two years working in the press gallery in Canberra.
Eliza Berlage made the move to Horsham to report for the Wimmera Mail-Times in October 2019. Originally from Sydney, she has a sociology background and spent two years working in the press gallery in Canberra.
