Wyndham businesses will soon get specialist advice on staying safe and staying open through 2021 thanks to new funding from the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane has announced Wyndham will receive $170,000 to keep local businesses and local people safe.

Wyndham can use $120,000 of funding to employ COVID Business Support Officers who will help high-risk locations like markets and shopping strips comply with COVIDSafe requirements, like checking in, physical distancing and cleaning.

They will work with local hospitality businesses, community venues and small retailers – like hairdressers, butchers and milk bars – to ensure they can stay COVIDSafe, as well as delivering a wide range of information on COVIDSafe practices to the community.

The funding is part of a $7.88 million commitment for councils across Victoria, establishing the Local Government Business Concierge and Hospitality Support program and creating 236 positions to help businesses stay safe and stay open.

Wyndham will also receive an additional $50,000 to provide assistance to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) businesses in the municipality, bringing Wyndham’s funding to $170,000 in total.

The Victorian Government has invested more than $6 billion in direct economic support for businesses and workers to help them recover from the pandemic, including $2.6 billion paid to 134,000 businesses through the Business Support Fund.

For more information on local government funding support visit www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“The COVID support officers will be really important for making sure our Wyndham community stays COVIDSafe and open for business.”

Quote attributable to Member for Altona District Jill Hennessy

“The more we can help local businesses stay safe and open, the more we can continue to recover as a community from the impacts of COVID-19. I’m really pleased to see resources allocated to our Councils to aid in this essential recovery process.”

Quote attributable to Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly

“Specialist officers will help businesses stay open and our community stay safe.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane

“Councils are crucial to Victoria’s recovery from the pandemic and this funding enables them to support businesses and communities with COVIDSafe best practice and keep local economies open.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula

“This is about making sure Victorian business – and every community in our state – has the support and information they need to stay safe and open through 2021.”