Maitland councillors have unanimously voted to provide a one-off $5000 donation to a drought aid organisation to help the state’s embattled farmers.
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Cr Philip Penfold moved the motion as urgent business during Tuesday’s council meeting, stating the impending end of the financial year and council’s financial position as reasons enough for the handout.
Cr Penfold said there was “many people struggling” with the drought and that the donation was a “modest” gesture council could undertake to show their support.
Cr Ben Whiting said that although he was usually against voting for donations “from the floor” of the council chamber, the severity of the current drought made it a worthy move.
Council general manager David Evans will select the charity which the donation will go to.
