To help contain the spread of COVID-19, Warrnambool City Council is encouraging all residents to follow advice from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
The latest advice is available at the DHHS website: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
Council has also enacted its Business Continuity Plan.
The Business Continuity Plan provides guidance on how Council can maintain important services during adverse events such as a pandemic.
“Our plan looks at how we care for our staff and how we prioritise our services so that those in the community with more critical needs are cared for as a priority,” Chief Executive Officer Peter Schneider said.
“We are working with South West Healthcare and are guided by the expert advice from the DHHS.
“COVID-19 is challenging the way in which all of us conduct our lives, businesses and operations but if we heed the expert medical advice, be understanding and co-operative, we can help to contain the virus and mitigate its impacts on our community.
"Council is continuing to provide its community support services, which care for some of the more vulnerable people in our community.”
The Civic Centre is now closed to the public. Council is reqeusting that you raise issues via phone or internet. When making payments, we invite you to make use of online and self-serve transactions. Alternatively, credit card payments can be processed over the phone by calling 5559 4800.
SBS provides news and information about COVID-19 (coronavirus) in 63 languages.
Current status of Warrnambool City Council sites and services
|
Site/service |
Date and time information is current: April 1, 8am. Information subject to change depending on advice from the Department of Health and Human Services. Services not listed are operating as normal until further notice. |
|
AquaZone |
Closed to the public from Sunday March 22 |
| Airport | Terminal building closed. |
|
Archie Graham Community Centre |
Closed to the public. For general enquiries about Council’s Ageing and Disability services including Home Support Services will continue to be provided including: For enquiries about these services, phone: 5559 4801 |
| Beaches | Lady Bay and the Promenade remain open however social distancing regulations apply. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has advised that Victoria Police will monitor beaches and be issuing on-the-spot fines for individuals who break social distancing rules. |
| BMX Track | Closed |
| Childcare | Still operating. |
|
Civic Centre |
Closed to the public. Residents can resolve issues via phone or internet. Tel: 5559 4800. Email: contact [at] warrnambool [dot] vic [dot] gov [dot] au Lodge an online request: www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/lodge-request |
| Community playgroups/simply singing/ holiday program | Postponed until further notice. |
|
Early Childhood Services |
Kindergartens and childcare centres are open for now. Childcare services are operating but there will be no excursions. |
|
Events |
Welcomes for Deakin University medical and international students cancelled. Tourism industry conference cancelled. TEDxWarrnambool postponed. |
| Environmental Health Services | Still operating. |
| Family Services | Still operating. |
| Fines and infringements |
Those who have been fined or issued with an infringement ticket can apply to defer the payment. Applications are assessed against Council's hardship provisions. Click here to apply. |
|
Flagstaff Hill/ Visitor Information Centre |
Closed to the public from 5pm, March 20. Visitor inquiries by telephone and online only. |
|
Gymnastics Centre |
Closed to the public. |
| Immunisation service | Still operating. |
| Kindergartens | Operating until March 28. |
|
Library |
Closed until April 14. All items currently on loan will be extended until April 24. Staff are still available to take your call on 5559 4990. The overnight chute remains open for the return of items. Fines will be waived for all library materials returned until further notice For further information: www.crlc.vic.gov.au |
|
Lighthouse Theatre |
All performances have been suspended until April 16 as producers and performers reassess their touring plans in light of restrictions on mass gatherings. Opportunities for rescheduling are being explored and once the details for each performance are confirmed, all patrons who have purchased tickets will receive a notification, and the updated details will be available at the Lighthouse Theatre website. In accordance with the Ticketing Code of Practice, refunds will be made where a performance is cancelled. The suspension of performances will be reviewed in early April. The Box Office remains closed to the public until Wednesday April 1. |
| L2P program | Continuing with no new learner drivers or mentors to be introduced to the program until further notice. |
| Maternal Child Health | Still operating, but consultations will be conducted over the phone. The Maternal and Child Nurse will call you at the time of your appointment. |
|
Meals on Wheels, Home and Community Care Services |
Domestic assistance - still operating. Personal care - still operating. Respite and care support - still operating but without excursions. Home maintenance - mowing and pruning still operating, limited home modification work (eg building ramps, installing rails). Meals on wheels - still operating. Social support groups - not operating. |
| Outdoor spaces | Barbecues, dog park, skate park and playgrounds closed. |
| Parking | Free parking int eh city centre until at least April 14. Time limits still apply. |
|
Parks and Gardens |
Normal maintenance schedule. |
| Pet registration | Pet owners can apply to defer this payment. Applications are assessed against Council's hardship provisions. Click here to apply. |
| Rates | Ratepayers can apply for rate deferrals. Applications are assessed against Council's hardship provisions. Click here to apply. |
|
Saleyards (SWVLX) |
50th anniversary celebrations cancelled. Store sale planned for Friday, March 27 is cancelled. |
|
Surfside Holiday Park |
Powered and unpowered campsites Surfside Holiday Park will be closed from 5pm Wednesday, March 25. Surfside cabins will be made available on compassionate grounds and for people who require accommodation as they transit home.
|
| Vacation Care | Vacation Care will proceed at this point from Monday March 30 for parents/guardians working in essential services. Numbers are strictly limited and a modified program will be provided to children to ensure social distancing is maintained as much as practicable. Additional hygiene measures will be in place throughout. |
|
Warrnambool Art Gallery |
Closed until further notice. |
|
Warrnambool Stadium |
No sporting competitions are taking place. |
|
Waste Collection |
Operating as normal. |
| West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House |
Closed. |
|
Youth Services |
Youth Achiever Awards will be conducted online. Further details to come. |
