Byron Shire pools closed from 25 March

Published on 25 March 2020

Council’s pools at Mullumbimby (Petria Thomas Pool) and Byron Bay will be temporarily closed to the public from this afternoon (Wednesday 25 March) until further notice, following advice from the Prime Minister last night in response to COVID-19.

Council’s Tip Shop will also close from this afternoon although the Myocum Resource Recovery Centre remains open but only to Byron Shire residents and for necessary waste disposal, not bulky items or waste from general household clean-ups.

“Last night’s changes bring a further round of restrictions aimed at reducing transmission of the virus by limiting our interactions with each other,” Council’s General Manager, Mark Arnold said.

Council staff are still assessing development applications but, at the direction of the NSW Government, there are changes to the DA process.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, anyone wishing to submit a DA in NSW from this point on (until further notice) will need to do so via the NSW Planning Portal.

“For the safety of our community it is critical that we are all doing everything we can to stay up to date with the advice coming from the lead agencies in this crisis, NSW Health and the Australian Government.

“We want to assure our community that Council remains focussed on the health and safety of our staff and community so that we can continue to deliver essential services like water and sewer treatment and other infrastructure.

In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, several new protocols will be in place during the 26 March Council meeting in the Council Chambers, Mullumbimby from 9am.

Social distancing will be practised by Councillors and staff (1.5 metre space) and all others in attendance. 

Members of the public who want to speak on a matter listed on the agenda will be invited into the meeting to address Council and then leave again once Councillors have asked any questions. They will not be able to return and listen to the debate.

Members of the public who are not specifically addressing an item on the business paper will NOT be admitted to the Council meeting for public health & safety reasons.

The meeting will also be live video-streamed and the agenda, minutes and audio recordings will be available via council’s website as normal.

View the live video stream from 9am at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/livestream.

For media enquiries contact Annie Lewis, Media and Communications Coordinator on 6626 7320.