COVID-19 What It Means For Coolamon Shire

The Minister for Health has signed the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 3) 2020 which commences on Monday 1 June. The changes are found at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/latest-updates.aspx#order-3

As the COVID-19 restrictions are easing, the Council office is now open and please adhere to social distancing.

We would like to still encourage other means of contact with us where possible and if you are feeling unwell please do not come into the office.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the office 69301 800

Coolamon Shire Library will be open to the public on 1st June 2020. Delivery service will continue and encouraged for residents over 70 years of age.

Update 19/05/2020

What is changing on 15 May?

MAYORAL STATEMENT No. 2

26 March 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19)

As more information comes to hand, Council is taking on board what it means to the community and its own operations.

With the number of cases in NSW and in particularly, the Murrumbidgee Local Health District on the rise, Council has followed the direction by the Prime Minister and the NSW Premier to close and restrict services to adhere with the social gathering protocols put in place. We want to encourage our community to adhere to the strict social distancing practices.

As previously identified, Allawah Lodge and Aged Care Services are our biggest risk groups and we continue to monitor based on the advice received and the health and safety of residents.

As of the 27th March 2020, Allawah Lodge will not be allowing visitors into the facility. This has been put in place to protect the most vulnerable. We ask that families organise devices for their loved loves to enable contact with them and encourage non-physical contact communication. Please contact Allawah Lodge for more details on 6927 3477.

Allawah Community Care office will also be closed to the public, all communication can be done over the phone by contacting 69273 521 and if the matter cannot be answered over the phone, other arrangements can be made. Those who are receiving meals on wheels will be contacted to arrange for their meals to be delivered to their house. All other services will continue to be provided with the utmost care.

Council is striving to protect the community by the way we are engaging with them and this means moving towards non-physical contact where possible.

Currently, the Council office is closed to the public and staffing measures have been put in place to ensure longevity of service is provided. Please ring 69301800 if you require an essential appointment to be made with a staff member. Please embrace the alternative means of communication and staff are on hand to answer your enquires.

We firmly believe that if we all work together, as we have in the past – and confident that we will in the future – that our communities will survive this unprecedented time.  If we all remain calm and act and think practically, we can minimise any impact.

John Seymour, OAM

Mayor

Coolamon Shire Council

MAYORAL STATEMENT

23 March 2020 – Coronavirus (COVID-19)

In light of recent announcements by the Prime Minister and the NSW Premier, Council have considered what this means for our operations, and therefore the communities we serve.

Most of the work we do is essential – obvious things like garbage collection, sewer management, maintenance of public facilities.  Others are less obvious such as the pay clerk continuing to pay Council’s staff or organising for meals on wheels or other home care services.

We are a major employer in our Shire and it is important that we continue to see money flow into and around our communities.  This keeps our economy turning and people able to manage as best as possible in these trying times.  We will be attempting to keep this as normal as possible.

This does not mean we are ignoring or flaunting the Government’s requirements.  Everything we do requires a risk assessment and we will ask that people do the same.  For example – do you really need to come in and see a business, or can you do it over the phone.  Simple changes may make it safer for everyone.

Allawah Lodge is our biggest risk group and we will be ensuring that we do our utmost to protect that facility.  We ask that only family attend for essential visits and in limited numbers to protect the most vulnerable.

We firmly believe that if we all work together, as we have in the past – and confident that we will in the future – that our communities will survive this unprecedented time.  If we all remain calm and act and think practically, we can minimise any impact.

John Seymour, OAM

Mayor

Coolamon Shire Council

For Council and events held within Coolamon Shire, the latest advice received is a change around mass gatherings and large scale events and the affect this will have on public facilities and events.

The Federal Government has advised the number of people at indoor events are now restricted to 100 people.

Coolamon Early Childhood Centre and Ardlethan Preschool are open and will remain open as an essential service to the community.

COVID-19 – What it means for Coolamon Shire

As reports of the Coronavirus spreading throughout Australia, Council wishes to ensure that essential services delivered by Council like road side bin collection, sewerage operations and road maintenance will continue and all services will be reviewed as the situation continues.

🏩 Due to the vulnerability of the aged, all non-essential (extended families, appointments etc) visits to Allawah Lodge are not permitted. Other non-contact measures are in place and family members are asked to contact the Allawah Lodge for more information on how you can interact with residents.