Coronavirus (COVID-19) common questions - for commercial and community tenants

Frequently asked questions for commercial tenants and community tenants, including clubs, organisations and other users of City buildings and recreational facilities.

Restrictions

This is a changing situation so it’s important to stay up to date with the latest health advice from government authorities.

Current restrictions on non-essential activity and prohibited gatherings are particularly relevant to your operations.

These directions limit the use of Council property like buildings halls and clubrooms.

As a leaseholder it is imperative that you are aware of and enforce the restrictions.

Exemptions to these restrictions

Certain exemptions apply for public transport health services emergency services supermarkets and retail hotels and accommodation education facilities or places of transit (eg Moorabool Street). For more information see prohibited gatherings.

Penalties

Penalties of up to $20 000 will apply for breach of these directions by an individual and $100 000 for body corporates.

Other closed City facilities

In line with the national shutdown measures the City has closed public access to many facilities including Swim Sport and Leisure centres sport and recreation stadiums (The Geelong Arena Barwon Valley Activity Centre Corio Leisuretime Centre).

This list is being continually updated. See the affected facilities and services page for more information.

Available support from the City

On Tuesday 24 March 2020 Council announced a number of immediate coronavirus support measures including:

a waiver of rent/fees for community and sporting groups within City-owned land/grounds and buildings for seven months from 1 March 2020
reduction of rent by 50 per cent for eligible commercial tenants in City buildings or on City land for six months from 1 March 2020
refund of Alfresco Dining permit fees for 12 months
refund of A frame permit fees for 12 months
refund of food premises registration fees for three months of the 2019-20 financial year and
4efund of health premises fees for three months of the 2019-20 financial year.

More information about these measures will be communicated to you in due course as City officers work to implement the resolution. Each tenant will be contacted to discuss options available to them.

50 per cent rent reduction for commercial tenants

The aim of this relief package for commercial tenants in City buildings or on City land is to support local small businesses affected by COVID-19.

Eligible tenants will be contacted in the near future.

Seven months rent/fee free package for community and sporting groups

The aim of this relief package for community and sporting groups using City-owned land grounds or buildings is to support community groups and clubs that have been affected by COVID-19 requiring the closure of facilities and/or inability to use grounds for their activities.

We will be contacting all eligible organisations in the near future.

Business support options

Business Victoria’s hotline on 132 215 provides information about dealing with COVID-19.

You can find out more about available business support on the links below:

We have put together a list of resources.

Legal advice

Should you require further advice on how the latest government directions apply to your organisation please seek independent legal advice.

Access for community tenants

In line with the latest advice from government authorities we ask you to not access City buildings and facilities.

Cleaning up after your summer fair play lease

We appreciate there are many clubs and community groups in this situation. At the moment we ask you to refrain from accessing City buildings and facilities.

Access for winter fair play leaseholders

Once again we understand there are many community tenants in this situation. We ask you to follow the latest health directions and not access City buildings and facilities.

Access for commercial tenancy agreement holders

Please refer to the current directions on non-essential activity and prohibited gatherings.

Next steps

We will contact tenants to discuss support options once support measures are finalised.