BAYSWATER City Council has knocked back a rent reduction for a community group struggling while its chief executive receives an organ donation in Brisbane.
The Organ Donation and Transplant Foundation of WA, based at The RISE, Maylands, requested waiver of fees for the remainder of 2016, and that rent is reduced by 50 per cent in 2017, with a return to regular payments in 2018.
The whole request comes to $5679.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWThe foundation’s chief executive Simone McMahon relocated from Perth to Brisbane in August last year to await a second transplant, which meant the organisation’s capacity to fundraise was greatly reduced.
Council refused the application at a meeting this month and instead encouraged them to apply for a donation.
Councillor Dan said Ms McMahon was the “lifeblood” of the organisation, which did important work.
“This could be the death knell for the organisation,” he said.
However, Councillor Alan Radford said there were probably 100 other organisations out there deserving of the discount.
Councillor Chris Cornish said he would prefer if Council made a donation.
The City hosts eight community offices at The RISE and in 2014 Council approved a rent waiver to Angelhands for six months whilst they were experiencing financial hardship.
The Organ Donation and Transplant Foundation of WA provides support and advocacy on organ donation.
In Bayswater and surrounding suburbs, there were 91 known donor families: families who lost a loved one and gave consent for their organs and tissue to be donated.