The first batch of decisions has been made on applications to the Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund for residents, ratepayers, small business owners or not-for-profit organisations who have suffered financial hardship because of damages caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.
A panel consisting of two Council elected members – Mayor Len Salt and Mercury Bay Councillor Rekha Giri-Percival – and one independent community representative – Nikky Fisher from Hauraki Collective – met on Wednesday. The panel reviewed and made a determination on all 207 applications. Additional information and verification are being sought from some applicants. Staff are working through these as quickly as possible.
Successful applications that do not require additional checks or further information are being batched into payments ready for payment before Easter.
Where decisions require further information, the process may take longer. We’re asking applicants to be patient while we follow up on requests for more information. Unsuccessful applicants will also be contacted as soon as practicable.
The Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund was designed to support the needs of affected individuals, families, community organisations, small businesses and marae. In total, the fund had 207 applications; 16 from community organisations; 127 from small business; 64 from individuals/families.
Today, Friday 31 March, is the closing date for applications for the Cyclone Gabrielle Business Recovery Grants Fund.
Our Council has received an initial $1.5 million in funding from the Government to allocate to businesses throughout the district.
The Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment has responded to the need from the business community with a further $2.5 million, which our Council will distribute for our areas, to help meet the funding gap.
We have received over 400 applications so far, seeking more than $5 million in funding, so the fund is already heavily oversubscribed.
Priority is being given to those businesses who have experienced the most significant and sustained impacts from the storm events and road closures.
Our Independent Advisory Panel met earlier this week and signed off on the first tranche of applications being considered. Once contracts with those successful applicants have been signed, payment will be processed in a matter of days. The Independent Advisory Panel reconvene on Thursday 6 April to go over the next tranche of applications.
When contracts are signed and funds are distributed into bank accounts, the list of recipients and amounts granted will be updated fortnightly on our website.
Tapu-Coroglen road closure vandalism risks public safety
A reminder that the ongoing closure of Tapu-Coroglen Road is a matter of public safety and any unauthorised movement of traffic management measures or driving through the closed area creates serious risks and will not be tolerated.