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Tauranga City Council will provide relief for small and medium sized businesses and community groups facing financial difficulties during the coronavirus pandemic.

The mayor and councillors unanimously approved the fees, charges and rent relief package at a council meeting this week.

It includes:

• a funding pool of up to $100,000 for user fees and charges hardship exemptions, to be considered on a case-by-case basis
• rent reductions of 50% to 100% for eligible commercial and residential organisations that lease council land, to June 30.
• a rent reduction of 100% for community organisations and sports groups that lease council land, to June 30
• rent relief of 100% for community organisations and 50% for commercial tenants at the Historic Village for the last three months of this financial year

Further measures may be considered after June on a case-by-case basis.

Mayor Tenby Powell said the package recognised the hardship that many ratepayers, community groups and small to medium-sized businesses are experiencing under the Covid-19 lockdown.

“We’re talking about real people with families,” he said.

“In many cases, these people are providing jobs for other members of our community and making a valuable contribution to our economy.

“It’s crucial that we do what we can to ease their financial burden.”

The council also resolved to keep working with central government to extend its rates rebate scheme, and to consider amending its Rates Remission Policy for future emergencies.