Some Lilydale businesses may be among those to have their food and health registration renewal fees scrapped for 2022 as a way to support local businesses by Yarra Ranges Council.
Nearly 1,500 businesses across the shire have had fees waived for the year, as part of a temporary Covid relief measure.
Additionally, the council has waived new applications for footpath trading to support businesses operating in a CovidSafe environment temporarily, until September 2022.
Mayor Jim Child said this decision was in recognition of many businesses in the hospitality and health industries that have been severely impacted by another difficult year of pandemic restrictions.
“We decided to waive registrations for some of our hardest-hit businesses over the last two years – businesses that are still experiencing the impacts of Covid-19 on staffing, cancellations and uncertainty,” Cr Child said.
“Our businesses have been through so much, and we hope that taking renewal fees off the table for another year helps make a small difference.”
The council’s Covid Recovery Fund will be used to subsidise these fees for the second year running.
Businesses that have been notified that they are eligible to have their registration fees waived for 2022 still need to apply to renew their registration.
Businesses that have not yet done so, can follow the Renew Now link they received with their notification email or print and sign their Notice to send to council.
This link is not available on the Council website.
Proprietors can get in contact with the Safer Communities Customer Management team if they have any queries by calling 1300 368 333 or emailing.
