Restrictions To Ease Around Gympie Region

Gympie Regional Council Mayor Glen Hartwig has welcomed the state government’s plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions.

“This weekend Council, in line with the state government’s recommendations, will open our parks, playgrounds and skate parks across the region,” Mayor Hartwig said.

“While Council could not be happier to welcome everyone back to our open spaces, we still need to be mindful of our social distancing.

“My understanding is that a maximum of 10 people are allowed to use a playground or outdoor play space at any one time.

“Our region, the state and the nation still have a long way to go before we are out of the woods and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “However, I have every faith the residents of our region will be responsible in this regard.”

Gympie Regional Council is continuing to assess the COVID-19 situation, with planned openings of customer contact points and other facilities to be announced over the coming weeks. Customer contact points will now also be fitted with Perspex, to ensure the safety of staff and residents.

Mayor Hartwig was also looking forward to the Gympie Regional Libraries reopening from Monday 25 May 2020.

“In line with Stage 1 of the Queensland Government Roadmap to easing COVID-19 restrictions, there will be limits on the number of customers in our libraries.

“To keep our staff and the community safe, we will be following social distancing and hygiene guidelines at all of our libraries. We are also introducing a new click and collect service at our libraries.“

Click and collect is a free service where you can reserve books online or contact your local library and organise a time to collect your items.

At Gympie Library, a maximum of 10 customers will be able to browse for 15 minutes and collect their library reservations, however access to computers and the Makerspace area will still be closed. Wi-Fi will still be available outside the building.

Tin Can Bay, Rainbow Beach, Imbil, Kilkivan and Goomeri Libraries will have a maximum of five customers at their libraries. Return chutes will be open to return all library materials.

“We encourage you to collect library materials but ask you to visit on your own, rather than in family or friendship groups, to keep numbers down and adhere to the new state rules.”

Council is also looking at ways to further support the community by working with other councils as well as state and federal experts to identify pathways towards prosperity for the region.

“For example, we are working with the state department for Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning to run workshops and forums on how to tender for government work (this is important as TMR are about to go to market for Section D Upgrade to Bruce Highway).

“We are also advocating for funding at federal and state levels for our shovel-ready projects, and maintaining our links with local industry and Chambers of Commerce,” he said.

“The COVID-19 situation has been challenging for our entire community,” Mayor Hartwig said. “And we don’t want to undo all of our hard work.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their efforts not only on behalf of Council, but from me personally.”