COVID-19 update: How Council is responding
The Southern Highlands, like the rest of the world, is currently in the midst of an event unprecedented in our lifetimes.
Combating the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is a global issue and it’s having a real impact on our lives.
Like all major organisations around the world, Wingecarribee Shire Council is experiencing operational interruptions.
Whilst the health and wellbeing of our community comes first, we remain focused on priorisiting the ongoing delivery of our essential services. This includes ensuring essential services such as water and wastewater delivery and rubbish collection services continue.
Our Continuity Management Team has been meeting regularly to implement procedures to ensure these services continue through this period. They are also developing actions to help slow the spread of COVID-19 within our workforce and our community.
Another challenge is the rate at which this crisis is escalating. Updates one day are often redundant the next. Staying informed of the latest developments is very important as disruptions will be inevitable.
Temporary disruptions to services or facilities may occur with little warning. Wherever possible, we will do our best to minimise any delays. In the interim we thank our residents for their understanding.
Below is a list and status update of key Council functions as of Monday 23 March 2020:
- Water and Wastewater services
Currently unaffected
- Domestic rubbish
Currently unaffected
- Library services
Both Mittagong and Bowral Libraries closed to the public as of Tuesday 24 March. This includes the Home Library Service and ROADS mobile library.
- Council Pools
Mittagong, Bowral and Bundanoon Swimming Pools closed for the swim season.
- Moss Vale War Memorial Aquatic Centre
Pool and gym closed until further notice as per the Federal Government directive.
- Southern Regional Livestock Exchange (SRLX)
Facility and weekly auction limited to persons directly involved with purchase and sale of cattle.
- Bushcare and Rivercare
All programs and events temporarily suspended.
- Children’s Services
Before and After School Care at Mittagong Public School will continue until further notice.
Vacation Care will be closed until further notice.
Family Day Care will continue until further notice or as individual Educators decide to temporarily discontinue their individual family day care operations.
- Resource Recovery Centre
Services will continue as per normal until further notice.
- Moss Vale Civic Centre
The Civic Centre is currently open between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. However where possible, face-to-face business of Council should be minimised and limited to essential business only. We’re taking extra measures to ensure the safety of staff and members of the public by minimising non-essential face-to-face contact. Additional safe hygiene practices including hand-sanitisers have been installed. Our online Customer Service Centre is available 24/7 at wsc.nsw.gov.au.
- Wingecarribee Animal Shelter
Services will continue as per normal until further notice.
- Community facilities
All Council halls and Community Centres are closed to all activities until further notice.
- Sporting facilities
All sports clubhouses such as club rooms, canteens and change rooms are closed to all activities until further notice.
- Council events and activities
All public Council events up until 31 July 2020 have been called off.
I would encourage residents to regularly check Council’s homepage at wsc.nsw.gov.au for the latest Council announcements.
These are without doubt extraordinary and challenging times and it’s now more important than ever that we continue to look out for each other.
I urge residents who have any concerns to visit the Australian Government Department of Health and NSW Health websites for the latest COVID-19 health advice.
Rest assured that as a community we will come out the other side of this together.
Ann Prendergast
General Manager, Wingecarribee Shire Council