The COVID-19 Financial Support and Hardship Policy encompasses waivers of interest, fees, charges and registrations that would otherwise be payable to Council during the 2020-21 financial year.

Council voted to extend the policy to June 30.

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Cr Kevin Erwin moved the motion.

"This is designed to take the pressure off local businesses," he said.

"It's not the be-all and end-all but it's a step in the right direction.

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"Because COVID-19 is an unknown so Council will decide to extend this policy out to June next year which is the end of the financial year."

Cr Erwin reflected that 2020 had been a difficult time for everyone in the community, not just businesses.

"Hopefully this will take some pressure off," he said.

"There hasn't been a lot of uptake to this policy at the moment.. once some of the payments (government coronavirus support funding) come off there might be more uptake.

"If anyone is experiencing any difficulty at all please contact the shire offices in regards to the policy and don't feel like you have to do everything on your own.

"We're there to try and assist where possible."

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