24 March 2020: Gunnedah Shire Council works to find solutions for Coronavirus situation

March 24, 2020

Gunnedah Shire Council continues to move into the orange stage of its yellow-orange-red Coronavirus Response Strategy while looking for ways to ease the stress on those already feeling the financial strain.

At an extraordinary meeting today, Gunnedah Shire Councillors endorsed a move to freeze interest accrual against rates, fees and charges that are currently outstanding or may become outstanding from today.

Council also agreed to cease the escalation of any outstanding accounts to formal debt recovery processes. This will remain in place during the COVID-19 emergency response.

Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey said the move was an example of Council working to find solutions for local people. “We are supporting and trying to maintain calm in the community as we deal with this unprecedented situation,” Cr Chaffey said. “We will continue to monitor ways we can work with our community in this difficult time until we come out the other side and can resume the business of everyday life and building our future.”

Today:

Gunnedah Shire Council’s Elgin Street administration building is closed to the public from today, but people are encouraged to do Council business in other ways – you can still fill in forms, find information, make enquiries and pay bills via Bpay or Bpoint online at www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au or on 02 6740 2100.

GoCo has also made changes, and its offices in Gunnedah, Tamworth, Kootingal, Nundle, Barraba and Narrabri are not open to the public. Its services will continue with GoCo still working to support clients and continuing to provide essential services to Home Care Package and Commonwealth Home Support Program clients, as well as essential transport services.

The Gunnedah Library will also provide non-contact services, but its doors will be closed to the public. Cattle sales continue at this time. The Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association Ltd (ALPA) has announced that in line with health guidelines about the COVID-19 pandemic, only agents and buyers should attend cattle sales.

Waste Management Facility opening times have not changed. Council asks that people pay by eftpos, preferably tap and go, at the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility. Other rural waste facilities will continue to accept cash payments where card facilities are not available.

Please ensure you are only using the facility for essential reasons – general waste is a priority. Social distancing will also be enforced.

Tomorrow:

Public toilets at Brocks Court, Mullaley Road, Redbank Road and O’Keefe Pavilion will remain open with an increased cleaning regimen. Village toilets are under review.

Playgrounds will be closed as it is difficult to guarantee continuous cleaning of playgrounds and to prevent people congregating in them. Parks and sporting fields remain open for people to exercise while adhering to social distancing requirements.

Gunnedah Shire Council is continuing to monitor and act on the situation daily, with the health and safety of Gunnedah Shire residents and council staff and customers as our first priority.

Council urges people to ensure they are limiting the spread of the Coronavirus by following all government and health guidelines, including social distancing and hygiene practises.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.