Public notice - 31 March 2020

We understand there is much concern about coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic in the community and are doing what we can to help reduce the impact and spread of the virus.

Our team is working behind the scenes to deliver essential services and support our community, staff and volunteers as part of our regional pandemic plan. The situation is unique and changing daily. We are making decisions on service alterations based on the most recent advice from state and federal governments and health authorities. Our aim is to keep programs and services running for as long as possible within the guidelines, and directives to shut down non-essential activity across the nation.

For updates on Council services visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.

We encourage residents to stay home, remain calm, and follow the precautions to minimise the spread and infection of COVID-19. Remember to look out for each other and check on your family, friends and neighbours that might need assistance.

For more information about coronavirus, call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 or visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.

The Customer Service Centre and Visitor Information Centres are closed to the public until further notice. Customers can still contact us by phone, email or lodge a customer service request via the homepage on our website. Our Customer Service team is available on weekdays between 8.30am and 5.00pm on 5471 1700 or via info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au. Payments can be made via our website, www.bpay.com.au or over the phone. Staff at the Visitor Information Centres are available from 9.00am to 5.00pm every day on 1800 171 888.

We are aiming to deal with as many requests as possible with a reduced capacity in our Works Unit. The priority for the team is road hazards, followed by maintenance tasks. While there may be delays please be assured the team is working to attend to service requests as quickly as possible.

The National Immunisation Program for children up to six years is continuing by appointment only. Please do not attend the centre unless you have spoken to a nurse on 5472 1364.

Council is working hard to support the most vulnerable members of our community. Public health and safety is our priority and any service alterations made have been made in the best interest of our clients, carers, volunteers and staff. This also aligns with advice from the relevant health authorities. We are continuing to share service updates with clients, carers and families. Contact our Community Wellbeing Team on 5471 1766 with any queries.

Residents are urged to delay non-essential visits to waste facilities. Please do not visit if you are unwell, have been overseas or have been in contact with someone who has or is suspected to have COVID-19. Both transfer stations are still open. Payment at the Castlemaine facility is by EFTPOS/card only. Due to social distancing measures heavy items which you cannot lift into the bins yourself and mattresses are not accepted at this time. Paddy’s Market is also closed. For more information visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/wastemanagement.

With the Customer Service Centre closed to the public, we have made some changes to how we respond to town planning enquiries. If you have a query that relates to a specific planning application under consideration, please refer to your correspondence from Council and contact the listed Council officer on the number provided. If you have a general planning query please lodge a service request via our website.

Council events are cancelled. Venues, recreation and community buildings are closed to the public. While parks and reserves remain open for essential activities such as exercise within public gathering rules, public playgrounds, skate parks and BMX parks are also closed.

Staff are continuing to support local business and industry during this difficult time. Businesses can find out more about how the economic response complements the range of support available to small and medium businesses at www.business.gov.au or on 13 22 15. For more information on the Australian Government’s Economic Response to the Coronavirus visit www.treasury.gov.au/coronavirus.

In this difficult time if you need support including food packages please contact the Salvation Army on 1300 371 288, Red Cross on 1800 733 27677 or the Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398.
For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services call Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

At this stage kerbside bin collection is operating as usual. There will be no kerbside waste or recycling collection on Good Friday 10 April. Bins will be collected the following day, on Saturday 11 April. Bin collection will be usual on Easter Monday 13 April.

Municipal Building Surveyor – full time, fixed term.

Closes on Sunday 19 April.

For more information or to apply visit our website.

The next meeting is scheduled for 6.30pm on Tuesday 21 April at the Civic Centre. Watch the broadcast live to the internet via YouTube by searching Mount Alexander Shire Council.

Please note: this information was correct at time of printing. As things are changing on a daily basis find the latest updates on our website. Visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.

The Council Column is published in The Midland Express each Tuesday.

Public notice - 31 March 2020.


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