NSW councils are set to receive a $395m economic stimulus package from the state government, in an effort ‘to save local jobs and support communities to recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19’.
The peak body representing NSW councils, Local Government NSW (LGNSW), welcomed the package, saying it would, ‘drive economic recovery in every corner of NSW, and save essential services’.
LGNSW president Linda Scott says, ‘As the only state government to have provided councils with economic support of this magnitude, the NSW government has ensured our state will lead the economic recovery from COVID-19’.
The package includes a three-month ‘Council Job Retention Allowance of $1,500 per fortnight, per qualifying staff, to limit job losses. The total allowance is capped at $112.5 million, and will be drawn from the NSW Government’s Jobs for NSW fund’.
Additionally, $32.8 million will go to councils to meet increases in the 2020/21 Emergency Services Levy.
‘This provision is over and above the $13.6 million provided to councils last year, to help them manage overnight levy increases of up to $220,000’.
There will also be a, ‘$250 million increase in low-cost loans to eligible councils through the state’s TCorp borrowing facility, to kick-start community infrastructure projects. TCorp will also be offering principal and interest payments deferrals on existing council loans.’
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
COVID-19 reduces Australian life expectancy
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row.
Wuhan market increasingly likely origin point for COVID-19
An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market.
Editorial – There’s a bat in my lab!
The lab-leak theory that Covid-19 came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology – instead of a nearby wet market – was thrashed about in public recently, with the US Senate Homeland Security Committee holding a hearing into Covid-19.
Fresh air federal funds for Northern Rivers schools in need
Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week.
COVID-19 pandemic has cut life expectancy globally
COVID-19 reversed earlier trends toward longer life expectancies. During the pandemic, life expectancies globally dropped by 1.6 years according to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal.
COVID-19 update for New South Wales
Let’s not forget that Covid-19 is still a big issue in our community with 31,935 cases reported across Australia in the last week – an average of 4,562 cases per day.
Five graphs you need to see before the Global Carbon Budget...
The Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing.
Public transport mask mandate to end
Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
