A council in New South Wales will offer to pay every landowner in the region $300 to help soften the blow of the coronavirus pandemic.
Shoalhaven Council on the state's south coast voted in favour of the financial relief package at a meeting on Tuesday night.
Councillor Bob Proudfoot said if all 55,000 landowners opt in to receive the one-off payment it could cost the council up to $17.5 million.
"We are going to donate to every ratepayer in the Shoalhaven $300."
"I represent the people of the Shoalhaven and the people of the Shoalhaven are hurting," he said.
"So if this equates to a trolley full of groceries and it really does help those who need help, then so be it," Cr Proudfoot said.
Dipping into future reserves
He said the bushfire affected council is the first in New South Wales to implement such a package and he has urged others to do the same.
Mayor Amanda Findley was among six councillors to oppose the scheme.
"Those who support the payment believe that it's stimulus going back into the economy by giving that relief to households," she said.
"But the $17 million could have resulted in employing 108 of our unemployed people for a year at Shoalhaven City council," Cr Findley said.
The package will paid for from the council's general fund and its water, waste and sewer fund.
"It's taking money out of reserves that council had put aside for projects into the future, so it has an impact on future budgets as well," Cr Findley said.
"I'm hoping those who don't need the $300 don't opt in to receiving it and leave that with council," she said
Residents 'flabbergasted'
Hundreds of properties in the Shoalhaven are holiday homes owned by residents in areas, including Canberra and Sydney.
Those ratepayers will be eligible for the payment and Sanctuary Point resident Jeff Rose said he would not accept the payment.
"I'm absolutely flabbergasted, it's an absolute disgrace," he said.
"I can name five addresses within a hundred metres of where I live of people who own holiday properties who live outside the Shoalhaven area.
"How can you justify giving people money who don't live in the area."
Local resident Dan Harmelin said the money was not enough to make a difference to families.
"This is a small gesture, I don't think it's going to be effective.
"I think using it to employ young people who haven't got a job would be far better use of the money.
"I think this is misguided," he said
