Frankston City Council Coronavirus update

In line with the latest government advice regarding Coronavirus, Frankston City Council has altered the delivery of some services and upcoming events.

A current list is available below but be sure to keep up with the latest changes by visiting: frankston.vic.gov.au/Your_Council/Coronavirus_Updates

Frankston City Mayor, Sandra Mayer, said these changes were necessary to prevent transmission of the virus and protect the community’s health.

“Rest assured, Council is taking all of the precautions we can to keep you all well and will continue to update you as new information comes to hand,” Cr Mayer said.

The Mayor encouraged residents to be considerate of others at this challenging and emotional time.

“Uncertainty, particularly about whether we’re going to be able to protect and provide for our families, can inspire people to act out of character,” Cr Mayer said.

“Please remember to be kind to each other and forgiving of those who are not at their best. Everyone is doing what they can to get by and some vulnerable members of our community may need extra support.”

Council’s Pandemic Sub-Plan has been activated. A key part of Council’s role is communicating the latest information from the Department of Health and Human Services. Currently:

People should stay at home whenever possible, not gather in groups (outdoors and indoors, including having groups of visitors to the home) and working from home is encouraged Those entering Australia are required to self-isolate for 14 days and people should avoid unessential travel Non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 and outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people are need to be cancelled. Non-essential indoor gatherings less than 100 must have no more than one person per four square metres. People are encouraged to keep 1.5 metres between themselves and others when possible. Those who have returned from overseas or been in contact with a confirmed case of Coronavirus in the last 14 days, or have a fever or symptoms of a respiratory infection such as a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath are asked not to attend aged care facilities. Those who visit aged care facilities should keep visits short and to no more than two people at a time (including doctors). People under 16 years will not be permitted except for in exceptional circumstances. Places of worship, pubs, registered and licensed clubs (excluding bottle shops attached to these venues), hotels (excluding accommodation), gyms and indoor sporting venues, cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos, night clubs, beauty therapy, tanning, massage and tattoo parlours (excluding physiotherapists), play centres and amusement parks, galleries, museums and libraries are closed. Restaurants and cafes are restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery Auctions and open houses are not to take place. Funerals are to be capped at 10 people and weddings at five people (the bride, groom, celebrant and two witnesses). Australians should expect these measures to be in place for at least six months  Additionally, Victorian school holidays were brought forward and began yesterday (Tuesday 24 March). At this stage students will return to school on Wednesday 15 April.

Council is working to ensure critical services continue. A list of changes to services and events is below:

Council meetings:

Residents are strongly encouraged to watch the next Ordinary Council Meeting on 30 March via the live streaming service, rather than in person. Social distancing restrictions will impact the number of people able to attend and those who do, will be seated in the Acacia Room to observe the meeting via live streaming.

Updates and information for those who wish to speak about an item on the agenda or submit questions, as well as updated information is available at: frankston.vic.gov.au/Your_Council/Coronavirus_Updates/Council_Meetings

To view the livestream from 7pm Monday 30 March visit: frankston.vic.gov.au/Your_Council/Council_and_Committee_Meetings/Council_Meetings

Council strongly encourages people to contact Customer Service via the methods below. If you must attend the Frankston, Seaford or Langwarrin customer service desks in person, please cooperate with social distancing measures.

Email: [email protected]  Phone: 1300 322 322 Social Media: Facebook, Messenger or Twitter Report an issue or make a payment online: frankston.vic.gov.au Changed services: Meals on wheels Council’s Maternal and Child Health services will be operating at reduced capacity until further notice Parenting education sessions and supported playgroups are cancelled Youth Services outlets are closed and programs including school holiday programs, drop in sessions, outreach programs, L2P, Open Mic Night, Youth Carnival Day and FReeZA events are cancelled Positive Ageing planned activity group programs are cancelled Pot Luck Program is cancelled Community Bus program is cancelled Jubilee Park consultation sessions will be livestreamed on Facebook Council operated community halls for hire are closed Neighbourhood grants program is suspended for the rest of the financial year All Frankston Libraries branches (Frankston, Seaford and Carrum Downs) are closed and events and programming cancelled but services can be accessed online: library.frankston.vic.gov.au The Home Maintenance Service is continuing for essential services such as replacing smoke alarm batteries Solar and Battery Information Night (21 April) will now be a webinar. Register on Council’s website. Closed facilities: Frankston Arts Centre (Until 13 April) Frankston Visitor Information Centre (closed to the public until 13 April with staff available to answer phone and online requests) All Council operated community centres (Frankston North, Frankston South, Ebdale and Youth Central). Karingal Place is open ONLY for essential Maternal and Child Health services. Cruden Farm (until further notice) McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park (until 13 April) Ballam Park homestead (until further notice) All Frankston Libraries branches (Frankston, Seaford and Carrum Downs) are closed (until 14 April) Council run community centres including: Seaford Community Centre, Frankston North Community Centre, Frankston South Community and Recreation Centre, Ebdale Community Hub and Learning Centre (including the Impact Volunteering referral desk which can be contacted by email only), Karingal Place Neighbourhood Centre (except for essential maternal and child health services and community kindergarten). Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) Cancelled events: Guided ranger activities (April school holidays) All future Gardens for Wildlife visits I can Thrive challenge (26 March) Waves and Wheels Film Festival (27-29 March) Earth Hour: nature after dark (28 March) Party in the Park (7 April) Good Friday in Frankston/Good Friday Festival (10 April) Sonya Kilkenny's Easter Egg Hunt (11 April) All ANZAC Day services (24 and 25 April) – more details to come Frankston Music Festival (1-3 May) Indigenous Nursery Open Day (2 May) World Environment Day – Climate Emergency Event (30 May) Frankston Sunday Market (postponed until 31 May) Little Beauty market (March postponed to May and April postponed to June – check with Jessica) Unaffected services and events

ONE upcoming session has been impacted by the closure of some of our community centres. Immunisations scheduled for Thursday 9 April, 1-2pm at Frankston North Community Centre have been moved to Mahogany Rise Child and Family Centre, 2/25 Jenkens Street, Frankston North.

Street sweeping Council’s waste and recycling collection service is continuing with household bin collection commencing 30 minutes earlier to allow staggered start times so staff can exercise social distancing The Frankston Regional Recycling and Recovery Centre (FRRRC) is open. Kindergartens

Frankston City Council recommends residents exercise social distancing when in public areas.

For more information visit: frankston.vic.gov.au/Your_Council/Coronavirus_Updates/Impacted_Council_Services

If you suspect you may have Coronavirus (COVID-19), please call the dedicated hotline on 1800 675 398 or to complete the DHHS interactive Coronavirus self-assessment visit: dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-self-assessment

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