COVID-19 restrictions eased for sports training and libraries

COVID-19 restrictions eased for sports training and libraries

Published on 27 May 2020

Following new directions from the Australian and New South Wales governments, Blacktown City Council has moved to further ease restrictions that had been put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said, “Council has a duty of care to ensure that any easing of the restrictions is being taken in the best interests of the health and economic wellbeing of our residents and businesses.

“Council had already reopened parks, reserves, gardens, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and allowed limited access to courts at the Blacktown Tennis Centre.

“Council is now moving to reopen Blacktown City Libraries and allow organised training sessions to be held on our sportsfields and at the Blacktown International Sportspark Athletics Centre.

“Limited swimming squad training can be held at Blacktown Aquatic Centre from Monday while Boot Camp training can now be held at both that venue and Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope.

“All of these facilities will operate under strictly enforced social distancing guidelines.

“It is important that we bring our cultural and sporting facilities back online for community use as soon as the New South Wales Public Health Orders allow.

“However, I emphasise that the coronavirus is still in our communities and could flare up again if we don’t continue to be responsible, maintain social distancing, keep high levels of personal hygiene and get checked if any symptoms appear.” Mayor Bleasdale said.

Blacktown City Council meetings will return to the Council Chambers with seating reconfigured to ensure social distancing between Councillors and staff.

Meetings will remain closed to the public with proceedings streamed live on Council’s website. 

Venues and services affected by the latest easing of COVID-19 Public Health Order restrictions include:

Blacktown City Libraries:

Full Mobile Library service has resumed June 15 - Libraries open 9.30 am – 5.00 pm, with limited numbers and services. This opening is subject to the installation of perspex sneeze barriers. Programs will not resume, including children’s activities, technology training, film clubs, and book clubs. Material such as newspapers, children’s kits, chess sets will not be available July 20 – Libraries resume normal opening hours with limited numbers. Justice of the Peace services and some programs will resume All Blacktown City Libraries will operate under the one-person-per-4 sqm rule. Additional sanitisers will be installed, daytime cleaning will be utilised and social distancing markings will be applied.

Blacktown City sportsfields

Re-opened for training for sporting clubs and organisations from 1June Maximum groups of 10 people including coaches Organisations hiring sportsfields must submit to Council a management plan that addresses all matters associated with undertaking training under the current COVID-19 Public Health Order before any training can begin. Clubs and sporting organisations will manage toilet facilities No change rooms will be available.

Blacktown International Sportspark Athletics Centre

Re-opened for training, restricted to pass holders, maximum groups of 10 people including coaches.

Blacktown Aquatic Centre

Indoor 50 metre pool only at Blacktown Aquatic Centre to open from 5.30 am to 7.30 am and 4 pm to 7 pm Monday to Friday from 1 June for squad swimming only Change room facilities will not be available Consideration will be given to reopening indoor pools Monday to Friday to the public when restrictions are lifted to allow more than 20 persons swimming at any one time The indoor 50 metre pool will remain closed on weekends and public holidays until public restrictions are lifted to 50 or more persons swimming and learn to swim lessons are allowed to recommence.

Blacktown Tennis Centre Stanhope

Singles and doubles play allowed with a maximum of 4 people allowed on each court Book and pay online and players must provide their own equipment.

The Blacktown Customer Information Centre in Council’s Administration Centre in Blacktown CBD remains closed for face-to-face service however service inquiries can be made by phone or online.

Council expects to open the Customer Information Centre in the near future.

Public access to the Administration Centre in Flushcombe Road is not allowed.