Council services from June 1

Council services from June 1

Thursday, 28 May 2020

The Bega Valley is emerging from its COVID-19/Coronavirus cocoon conscious of the balance the NSW Government is looking to strike between the health and economic well-being of our community.

Like everyone, Council has had to adapt our services to work within the advice of NSW Health, but as the government sees an opportunity to roll back some of the restrictions some of our services are stepping out again.  

“Staff and the community have done a great job moving with the changes and come June 1 our libraries and regional gallery are able to start working more closely with the community again,” General Manager, Leanne Barnes said.

Changes to Bega Valley Shire Library Services from 1 June:

Bega Valley Shire Library will resume a Click Call and Collect service from 1 June. Click Call and Collect is a ‘takeaway’ service that allows library users to select materials online and collect at their branch library by appointment only. Library customers can also call their branch library to order library materials in advance of their visit for fast and efficient service. Click Call and Collect will operate during usual library operating hours but will be closed on Saturdays. Call Bega Library 6499 2127 Eden Library 6499 2451 Tura Marrang Library 6499 2340 or Bermagui Library 6499 2411 for information Libraries remain closed for browsing collections, meeting rooms, public computers and programs for the time being. Visitors wanting to access the Click Call and Collect service may be required to sign in to the library under a NSW Government directive for contact tracing. The information will be held securely for 28 days. All returned items will be quarantined for four days and cleaned before being re-shelved. Online services will continue to operate 24/7 via the Library Services’ website.

Changes to Bega Valley Regional Gallery from 1 June:

Gallery staff are thrilled to be able to welcome the community back into our Zingel Place gallery space. The Gallery is implementing a ticketing system so that visitors can book half hour slots to visit and explore the current exhibition. You can book now via the BVRG website. The number of visitors inside the Gallery will be restricted to five at any one time. No group tours will be available for the time being. Floor stickers will help people maintain the 1.5 metre physical distancing requirements.

“While we are delighted to see an easing in restrictions it’s critical that we stay committed to good hygiene practices and physical distancing,” Ms Barnes said.

“We’ll be providing hand sanitiser and there will be regular cleaning in high traffic areas.”

Council has also been receiving questions about sporting ovals and the Sapphire Aquatic Centre.

Following updated advice from the NSW Government, the Shire’s sporting ovals are open to sporting clubs who wish to return to training subject to compliance with NSW Health advice.

As sports associations are managing their individual response to COVID-19, participants should contact their clubs and associations directly for updates.

Sapphire Aquatic Centre will remain closed for the time being under ongoing restrictions for indoor swimming pools and gyms. Playgrounds, skateparks, fish cleaning tables, BBQ and picnic facilities reopened on 15 May.  Please remember all users need follow NSW Health advice and take extra care when using public spaces.  

Modifications are being made to our Zignel Place administration building that would allow the public to access front counter services again. Clear screens in this high traffic area will be installed in the coming days for the safety of our staff and the community.

We are hoping to reopen Zingel Place by the end of next week (before June 5), in the meantime customer service staff are still available to assist the community via phone and email. All rates, fees and changes can be paid via Bpay, over the phone or at your local Post Office.

Council’s waste transfer facilities and landfill sites remain open; no cash transactions. Tip shops will re-open but will be cashless. 

The Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre and Bega Valley Regional Learning Centre rooms will remain closed to bookings for the time being.

Residents will also start to notice tourists returning to the region, with the NSW Government lifting travel restrictions from 1 June.

“Local tourism and hospitality providers have been preparing for this day and will welcome people back to the region with a clear message about the importance of respecting the public health advice that remains,” Ms Barnes said.

“We all have a responsibility to safe guard our community against a second spike, we have already been through so much.

“As the health advice changes Council will respond accordingly and keep the community informed.”

More localised advice around COVID-19 is available on Council’s website. Largely Council’s services and functions remain operational. The community can seek assistance across our services via 6499 2222 and [email protected]

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