Community Update 7 April - COVID-19. We’re working hard on your behalf... No images? Click here With the continually evolving pandemic and impacts of COVID-19 within our community, we’re working hard on your behalf to ensure we deliver the essential services you depend on every day. While we continue our business as usual maintenance and project delivery, we're also working on a range of measures to support our local economy, residents and businesses. Relief measures to support youWe're here to help. If you're facing financial hardship, as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19, please get in touch by email or phone to discuss how we may be able to assist you. We are introducing numerous relief measures residents and business owners that have been impacted as a result of COVID-19 and we want to hear from you. We have been reviewing all our fees and charges and will be seeking a decision by Council at its next meeting to waive or defer charges for a range of items including interest charges, debit dishonour and credit card surcharge fees, fees for outdoor dining, mobile food vending vehicles, food shop inspections, suspending rent for cafes and facilities and more. Additionally, we're also asking that Council expand our hardship policy to include non-residential property owners. This is just the start, but we don't have to wait for the Council meeting to talk to you about your specific needs. Please email us or call us to discuss your situation and how we might be able to support you. Council will be meeting next Wednesday 15 April to consider a number of recommendations for support, and we'll provide further information following this meeting. Accessible and open for businessWe've adapted the way we do business across a number of our operations. Continuing to deliver services is an important part of our local economy through not only the provision of employment, but also through the purchase of goods and services. Whilst our face-to-face Customer Service Centres are closed, we’ve boosted our Call Centre Team who are ready to assist. Please call us or send us an email with any questions. Our website is also a great resource to help you find information, make payments and ask questions. From Tuesday 7 April, all public BBQ facilities will be closed to minimise temptation for public gatherings and ensure we all adhere to the current health and safety advice. We hope we can all keep safe enjoying our beautiful outdoors by keeping moving and observing social distancing guidelines. To keep up to date with what services and facilities are currently open and closed, visit our website. Hold on to your 'stuff'We understand that while you're required to stay at home, it's a great time to declutter. It's just not a great time to visit our waste facilities at the moment. Unfortunately, the large numbers of people currently visiting our waste disposal facilities has led to long queues because we must manage traffic flow and to implement social distancing measures. To keep our waste facility functioning and our teams safe, please hold on to any items you wish to dispose of. Continuing to deliver our services means we continue to keep people employed, and everyone can continue to support local goods and service providers. Please stay homeEaster is normally a time to take a break, visit family and catch up with friends, however this year it’s really important we only leave home when absolutely necessary. Everyone must listen to the advice from our State and Federal governments and stay home - for the safety of you, your family, and our community. While we respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and manage the impacts locally, we have also ceased our tourism campaigns. And we know this will have significant impact throughout our entire community. Our tourism industry (and our region) is still recovering from the lost income as a result of the bushfire season, and we anticipate the impact of COVID-19 to hit even harder. Please encourage your friends and family to postpone, rather than cancel, their visits or bookings. How about you invite your friends and family to purchase gift vouchers from our local businesses, or make advanced accommodation bookings, so they can use these when they come to visit you later in the year? This will help to support our local businesses and our local economy. And, if you do need to go out, please ensure you adhere to the social distancing guidelines and keep a minimum of 1.5m from others at all tines, and limit any social gathering to 2 people. How you can continue to do business with usWhile we've altered some of our services for the time being, please be assured you can still contact us over the phone and online. Call our Customer Call Centre on 6581 8111 Send us an email to council@pmhc.nsw.gov.au Visit us at pmhc.nsw.gov.au Stay in the know. Get the APPsThe Australian Government has released new digital support this week with the info you need to know about Coronavirus, including an online symptom checker, the latest health advice and news, and additional services info. There's also a new WhatsApp Channel with up to date information and guidance on Australia's response.
More info, visit health.gov.au
Let's work together to keep our community healthy and safe!Stay connected and up to date with Council newsVisit our Website at pmhc.nsw.gov.au Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/pmhc2444 Watch us on YouTube at youtube.com/pmhcouncil Tweet us on Twitter at twitter.com/pmhcouncil |