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An update on Council's response to COVID-19
 
 
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a rapidly evolving situation, and we want to keep the community as updated as possible. Please see below for changes to Council services. More details are available on our website.
 
We will continue to review our services as the COVID-19 situation unfolds.
 
 
A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
 

We are a strong and caring community and it is important we look out for each other. We understand that as the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues it will have a real impact on our daily lives.

Our focus is delivering for our community. There are many challenges in doing that in the present environment and, be assured, we are doing what we can to deliver our services safely.

To support our community we need to close some services. It will have an impact, but where possible arrangements will be made to deliver those services in a different form. As of normal closing time on Friday 20th March we will be closing Council-operated gyms in Seymour and Kilmore as well as the Seymour Visitor Information Centre.

We still have a number of essential services operating at this stage including our kindergartens, maternal and child health, immunisation, libraries (although programs have been suspended), customer service, resource recovery centres, kerbside waste collection, building, planning and animal management.

We appreciate this is a difficult and stressful time for many in our community.

Look out for each other, and rest assured we will be here in some way, shape or form throughout this crisis and as we eventually head into recovery. 

We are all facing our own challenges as we work through what this means for us as individuals and as a community, but the great thing about our Shire that we hear time and time again is how well we look out for each other. 

We need to continue to do this in the weeks and months ahead. We will come out the other side of this, although things might look quite a bit different for a while. 

Thank you and take care.

- Mayor Councillor David Lowe

 
VIEW THE LATEST UPDATES
 
 
Council service icons
 

We know it's disappointing to see some Council services close, but by closing these non-essential services, we're doing our bit to help slow the spread of the virus within our workforce and the community.

Our plan is to maintain critical services wherever possible, and we're happy to say it is still business as usual for a number of our services.
 
 
LEISURE CENTRES Reduced services
 

BUSINESS AS USUAL:

  • Individual lap swimming

CLOSED:

  • Gyms
  • Group fitness classes
  • Aqua group classes
  • Learn to swim classes
  • Creche
  • Booked events

The pools will remain open for individual lap swimming only; however, you must shower before entering the water.

A running group and walking group will be established at both Kilmore Leisure Centre and Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre to keep our members as active as possible during this time. 

The outdoor fitness equipment in Wallan is also available to use; however, we recommend you bring along something to clean the equipment as you go.
 
 
VISITOR INFO CENTRE Closed until further notice
 

Our Seymour Visitor Information Centre will temporarily shut by close of business Friday 20 March.

Owing to the confined space the centre operates in, the decision was made in the best interests of not only our fantastic volunteers, but for the health and safety of our visitors.

But rest assured, we are confident that if people are visiting the area, they will be able to access information in other ways to ensure they have everything they need to support those businesses who are able to continue to serve our community and our visitor market.

We want to take this opportunity to also thank our incredible volunteers who service the visitor information centre every day. Your hard work certainly doesn't go unnoticed. 
 
 
LIBRARIES Programs cancelled
 

BUSINESS AS USUAL:

  • Book borrowing
  • Library services
  • E-books and other e-resources available online

CLOSED:

  • Children's programs
  • School holiday activities
  • Author talks
  • Homework club
  • Library home visits cancelled

Our customer service centres remain open, with some extra precautions in place to protect everyone. Please read the signs upon entry and if you are feeling unwell, please do not visit.

Customers are encouraged to leave a 1.5 metre space between each other and Council staff.
 
 
CHILDREN'S SERVICES Some services postponed
 

BUSINESS AS USUAL:

  • Kindergartens
  • Key age and stage maternal and child health appointments
  • Immunisation sessions
  • Breastfeeding clinics
  • Outdoor playgrounds

POSTPONED:

  • First-time parents group
  • Supported play groups

While we've had to postpone our first-time parents groups, Council staff want to ensure these parents still have the support they need during this trying time.

Staff will be in touch with these new parents via phone, and we're looking into the possibility of forming an online group for them.
 
 
WASTE SERVICES Reduced services
 

BUSINESS AS USUAL:

  • Kerbside bin collections
  • Resource Recovery Centres

CLOSED:

  • Wallan re-use shop
 
 
YOUTH SERVICES Closed temporarily
 

CLOSED:

  • Youth rooms
  • Youth week events
  • School holiday activities

Our youth services team will be doing some phone outreach during this time.
 
 
Let's do our part to 'flatten the curve'

During these trying times it's important we all continue to practice good hygiene, whether you're at home or out and about in the community.

We all have a role to play to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES
 
Virus
 
WHAT IS COVID-19? Info on the signs and symptoms
 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a newly identified virus that can cause respiratory illness, including pneumonia.

The Victorian Government is providing information and updates and has a range of resources available for people wanting to learn more.

 
VISIT VIC GOV'S WEBSITE
 
Hands being washed
 
LET'S BE HYGENIC Protecting yourself and others
 

Good personal hygiene is important in order to protect not only yourself, but those around you against all respiratory illnesses - including COVID-19.

We all need to do our part to ensure the spread of the virus is as limited as possible.

 
WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR RISK
 
 
Mitchell Shire Council, 113 High Street Broadford, Vic 3658
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