Public notice - 22 September 2020

Regional Victoria is now in the Third Step of the Victorian Government’s coronavirus (COVID-19) roadmap for reopening. The key things to remember are:

• There are no restrictions on reasons to leave home. Stay safe as restrictions ease by washing your hands regularly, wearing a face covering when you leave home, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, and keeping at least 1.5 metres from others.
• You can keep your friends and family safe by meeting outdoors. There is a lower risk of spreading coronavirus between people if you are outdoors. Groups of up to ten people are able to meet outdoors.
• Restrictions have eased to allow for cafes, restaurants, beauty and personal care, and some outdoor entertainment venues to open. Restaurants will open mainly in an outdoor capacity, with a group limit of 10 people and density limits.
• You must not travel to metropolitan Melbourne except for permitted work purposes, care and compassionate reasons, or shopping for essential food and supplies, if necessary.
• Face coverings must still be worn by all Victorians when leaving home, unless you have a lawful exception.
• If you have symptoms of coronavirus get tested and stay home until you get your results, or if you feel unwell. To find your nearest testing site call the 24-hour coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.

For more information visit www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/third-step-restrictions-regional-victoria-covid-19,

For local assistance regarding COVID-19, or referral to a local community organisation or service, call our COVID-19 support service on 1800 512 446 between 8.30am and 5.00pm (Monday to Friday), email us at covid19@ mountalexander.vic.gov.au or visit www.connectmountalexander.com.au.

Our Customer Service Centre and Visitor Information Centres are currently closed to the public. However, you can still contact us by phone and email, or lodge a customer service request via our website.

Council will move into caretaker period from 12 noon on Tuesday 22 September until 6.00pm on Saturday 24 October to ensure an open and fair election for all candidates. For more information about the elections visit www.vec.vic.gov.au.

Council will soon start pruning street trees to provide clearance around powerlines in Castlemaine as part of our annual tree maintenance program. Qualified contractors will undertake the pruning to meet electric safety regulations. Trees on private property will not be pruned.

Is your community group planning an event next year? Our Events Grants Program is now open for events to be held in 2021 and beyond. Apply by 4.00pm on Monday 12 October at www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Grants.

We regret to advise of an error in the recently issued 2020/2021 Rates Notice. Some ratepayers were incorrectly advised payment is overdue. If you are worried your rate notice has an error, please contact our Customer Service Team and we’ll arrange to reissue your notice. We are working with our software provider to work through and fix the error. Please accept our apology for the inconvenience.

Pursuant to section 119 (3) of the Local Government Act 2020 at its Ordinary Meeting of Council on 15 September 2020 Council passed its new General Local Law 2020. The law will be in effect for 10 years unless otherwise amended. The objectives of the General Local Law 2020 are to provide for all of the following:

(1) The peace, order and good government of the municipal district;
(2) A safe and healthy environment so that the community of the municipal district can enjoy a quality of life that meets its expectations;
(3) The safe, fair and reasonable use and enjoyment of public places;
(4) The protection and enhancement of Municipal buildings, public assets and Council assets and the amenity and environment of the municipal district;
(5) The safe, fair and reasonable use and enjoyment of property;
(6) The uniform and fair administration of this Local Law.

A copy of the General Local Law 2020 is available on Council’s website at www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au under Local Laws. Copies are also available for viewing or can be purchased at the Council’s offices at the Civic Centre, Cnr Lyttleton and Lloyd Streets, Castlemaine, Victoria 3450.

Darren Fuzzard, Chief Executive Officer

Business Support Officer – Engineering – part time, ongoing.
Closes at 9.00am on Monday 28 September.
Road Worker – Street Cleaning and Rapid Response – full time, ongoing.
Closes at 9.00am on Monday 5 October.

For more information visit our website.

The next Council Meeting will be held at 6.30pm on Tuesday 20 October.

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

Public notice - 22 September 2020

More latest news....