General manager Ashley Lindsay reassured the community that Council’s essential services would continue however, there would be changes to non-essential services.
“This is an unprecedented global crisis. The safety of the community and council staff is paramount. As a result there will be changes to our service levels. Essential services such as water, road maintenance and weekly waste collections will continue as normal. However, many of our non-critical functions will be suspended”.
“It really is up to everyone in the community to reduce avoidable personal contact with other people and that includes staff at all our facilities. Our Customer Service Centres will remain open but you should call or email us or use the LiveChat facility on our website this will not only save you time, but more importantly it will reduce the risk to you and your family.”
There will be ongoing updates as the situation changes and a review of all facilities currently closed on Monday 30 April.
Residents can keep up to date on how we are responding to emerging issues and our service levels by visiting our website www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/covid19
- Customer Service Centres – OPEN (Preference is for customers to go online or call us)
- Council meetings – April and May meetings will held in Grafton. (Council meetings will still be held in person, as this is required under the Local Government Act, but social distancing measures will be in place. Members of the public are encouraged to listen to these meetings on our livestream.)
- Annual curbside bulk waste collection – POSTPONED
- Weekly Waste collections – NO CHANGE
- Regional Landfill, Grafton – OPEN (Closed on Sundays)
- Transfer Stations; OPEN (Grafton, Maclean, Iluka, Glenreagh, Copmanhurst, Tyringham, Baryugil)
- Treelands Drive Community Centre, Yamba – CLOSED
- All Indoor Sports Centres – CLOSED
- Parks, Reserves and Sporting Facilities – CLOSED
- Visitor Information Centre – CLOSED (online and telephone service only)
- Regional Gallery – CLOSED
- All Libraries – CLOSED – (Online, Click, Call and Collect available)
- Community Halls – CLOSED to group bookings
- Animal Shelter (Pound) – Reduced Hours (10am-11:30am)
- Swimming Pools – CLOSED
- Shannon Creek Dam – CLOSED
New Public Health Order issued
The NSW Minister for Health has signed the Public Health (COVID-19 Places of Social Gathering) order 2020 to implement measures agreed by National Cabinet on Sunday. The Order enforces the closure of certain non-essential venues to members of the public except in limited circumstances. Individuals failing to comply face a maximum penalty of 6 months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to $11,000 (or both) plus a further $5,500 fine each day the offence continues. Corporations face fines of $55,000 and $27,500 each day the offence continues.