Council responds to COVID-19 restrictions

MEDIA RELEASE 23 March 2020

Bathurst Regional Council has taken immediate action to respond to the raft of changes announced by the State and Federal Government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor of Bathurst Cr Bobby Bourke said Council has acted quickly to close relevant facilities to ensure we are assisting in helping prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“It is important we follow these guidelines to help slow the spread of COVID-19. We understand these closures will have a significant impact on our community and we are working to provide alternate business delivery methods for facilities like our library and information centre during the closure. Given the speed at which this decision has been made it will take us a day or two to get these new systems in place.

“We will continue to communicate with the community as this situation continues,” Cr Bourke said.

As of 12noon today Council has closed:

· Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre

· Bathurst Library

· Bathurst Regional Art Gallery

· Australian Fossil & Mineral Museum

· Chifley Home

· Bathurst Rail Museum

· National Motor Racing Museum

As of close of business Tuesday 24 March:

· Bathurst Visitor Information Centre will close

Facilities which remain open but with social distancing and/or other restrictions:

· Small Animal Pound – pet adoptions available by appointment only

· Civic Centre – open with appropriate social distancing methods in place and please only visit if you are well

· Bathurst Children’s Services - open with appropriate social distancing and only attend if you are well

· Kelso Community Hub – NSW Health continuing to use for their clinics. Other BRC and third party services suspended

· Aerodrome – open with appropriate social distancing. Regional Express Airlines (REX) has flagged that flights will cease from 6 April

Council’s essential services including water, sewer and waste are priority services and Council will ensure these continue. Other services like building and food inspections will occur when necessary and appropriate.

Council will continue to update its website and social media platforms with information on facilities and services as required.