MidCoast Council’s evolving COVID-19 response
Published on 24 March 2020
In an evolving response to the COVID-19 pandemic, MidCoast Council is temporarily changing the way we deliver services to the community to support Federal and State Government measures to reduce the spread of the virus in the community.
“We are focused on continuing to deliver services to our community as much as possible given the current circumstances,” General Manager Adrian Panuccio explained.
“Council has a range of essential services that will continue such as water provision and sewer services, road maintenance and rubbish collection.”
Mr Panuccio said that while some services will be altered, MidCoast Council will still be accessible and open for business via phone, email and online.
Several non-essential functions of Council have closed, or will be closing, in line with the Federal Government’s COVID-19 response.
Current closures:
- The Manning Entertainment Centre
- All Council owned pools in the region, including the YMCA facilities in Taree, Forster and Wingham
Closures effective 5pm Friday 27 March:
- All Customer Service Centres for face-to-face services, however the community can still access council over the phone or online
- All libraries, with online services continuing to be available
- All visitor information centres, with phone and online support available for local tourism operators
- The Manning Regional Art Gallery
MidCoast Council will continue to provide essential services to the community and the following facilities remain open for business including:
- Gloucester’s Service NSW and Services Australia (Centrelink) agencies
- Waste Management Centres
Council’s public amenities will remain open while ever they can be appropriately cleaned and hygiene facilities can be provided. Council is endeavouring to provide toilet paper and soap where possible, however is battling an increase in theft and vandalism. Facilities may be closed on short notice if these requirements are unable to be fulfilled.
The annual bulky waste collections have also been suspended at this point in time to prioritise weekly and fortnightly rubbish collections.
“We are doing everything we can to support our staff and customers in these challenging times and are committed to ensuring the vital services we rely on continue,” Mr Panuccio said.
“We look forward to being able to return our services to the community as soon as it is responsible to do so.”
The situation is changing rapidly and Council encourages everyone in the community to stay up to date by visiting www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au, and by following the Council facebook page.