COVID-19 updates

Published on 27 June 2020

Council facilities and services

Facility/Service Status Services
Customer Service Centre and Administration Building Open (limited services)
  • Document drops
  • JP Services (2-4pm)
  • Payments
Blue Haven Bonaira Aged Care Home  Open

 
Blue Haven Independent Living Units (Bonaira & Terralong) Open
Blue Haven Community Services Available

 
Committees Active Via videoconferencing
Council meetings Active
Community Centres Open   
Community Halls Open  
Holiday Parks Open  
Finance and payments Available Invoicing & payments to our suppliers continue.
Jamberoo Pool Closed  
Jamberoo free camping site Closed  
Kiama Leisure Centre

Open

 Limited services
Library - Gerringong Open  
Library - Kiama

Open

 Operating with a modified Library Express service.
Old Fire Station Art Gallery Open  
The Pavilion Open  
Public toilets Open  
Planning Available

Staff are available by phone or email via (02) 4232 0444.
Rock Pools Open  
Rock Pool amenities - Blow Hole Closed  
SENTRAL Youth Cottages

Open

Tuesday to Friday 1-5pm
Visitor Information Centre

Open
Community Recycling Centre and Minnamurra Recycling Facility

Open


 

Using outdoor facilities

Due to the NSW Government’s easing of restrictions from 15 May we can now re-open our playgrounds, exercise stations, skate parks and rock pools.

Our new playgrounds in Burra St and Carinya Way (Gerringong) are not yet finished and will remain closed.

Importantly, please follow the advice of health authorities when using these facilities:

  • Wash your hands before and after you use this equipment
  • Assume the person who has used the equipment before you has the virus.

While our rock pools are open, only 10 swimmers at a time are permitted and any change facilities will remain closed.

Outdoor gatherings are now permitted with up to 10 people in total

This includes bootcamps, which can now operate outdoors with a maximum of 10 people, including the trainer.

At all times, people must remain vigilant and maintain 1.5m distance, and regularly wash their hands.

Advice for local business

Queue marking

Internal markings within your premises should be  installed at your discretion. We recommend using non slip materials.

External marking of the footpath outside of your premises is not permitted.

Footpath dining

Should you wish to resume footpath dining, you must measure your total approved area so you can configure your seating in compliance with NSW Government restrictions.

From 15 May 2020 the restrictions are:

  • Cafes and restaurants can have up to 10 patrons seated at any one time and can continue to provide take away
  • they must also continue to apply the 4m2  rules and patrons who are not members of the same household must exercise 1.5 m in physical distancing.

Please be mindful that these restrictions may change and you should seek clarification and updates direct from the NSW Government https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

We will not resume footpath dining fees at this time.

For food vendors

Food regulators have developed a voluntary checklist for food businesses in all states and territories who are preparing to recommence operations.  Food safety checks for food businesses (such as cafes and restaurants) preparing to recommence pre-restriction operations (PDF 25kb). 

We remind you that you must continue to comply with existing requirements under the Food Standards Code, with particular vigilance on maintaining good hygiene practices. 

The NSW Food Authority has also updated their Food businesses and COVID-19 (Coronavirus) web page which includes the above information. 

If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact the Food Authority Helpline.

Or you can visit the Changes for businesses FAQ page https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-rules/changes
 
Compliance

Although Council are not the managing authority for COVID-19 issues, we do anticipate an increased police presence in our LGA. At all times, we consider that the public must take personal responsibility for physical distancing.

Local Resource Hub

A one stop shop for Resources for local business may be helpful:

https://kiama.com.au/partnership/covid-19-kiama-industry-resources-hub

COVID-19 Information for Workplaces

You may also find these resources, prepared by Safe Work Australia to be helpful

National COVID-19 Safe Workplace Principles

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/covid-19-information-workplaces/other-resources/national-covid-19-safe-workplace-principles

Risk Assessment Considerations

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/key-considerations-undertaking-risk-assessment-covid-19

Risk Assessment Template

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/template-and-example-covid-19-risk-register

Checklists (Workplace/Physical Distancing/Cleaning/Health, Hygiene & Facilities)

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/collection/workplace-checklists-covid-19

Cleaning & Disinfecting your Workplace

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/how-clean-and-disinfect-your-workplace-covid-19

Signage & Posters

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/signage-and-posters-covid-19

COVID-19 Resource Kit

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/collection/covid-19-resource-kit

COVID-19 Information for Workplaces

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/covid-19-information-workplaces

Questions

Food Business advice on lifting or easing of restrictions - Service  NSW – 13 77 88

Footpath Dining Permit queries – (02) 4232 0444

National Coronavirus Helpline - 1800 020 080

COVID related breaches – NSW Police Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000    https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/

NSW planning update

Environmental Planning & Assessment (COVID Development - Extending Operations) Order 2020

Under this order, Retail Premises:

  • Must comply with all conditions of the consent other than the hours of operation
  • may operate at any time, including the removal of waste
  • when operating outside their normal hours of operation must take steps to reduce noise.

Under this order, Home businesses/industries:

  • Must comply with all conditions of consent (if consent issued) or development standards (if no consent required) other than the hours of operation and number of employees
  • may operate at any time, including the removal of waste
  • may employ up to 5 persons (other than the permanent residents of the house)
  • when operating outside their normal hours of operation must take steps to reduce noise, smells, fumes or waste products that may adversely impact the residential neighbourhood.

This Order does not authorise anything to be done in contravention of an order under Part 2 the Public Health Act 2010, or any other Act or law. (i.e. certain non-essential venues must be closed to members of the public except in limited circumstances).
This Order commenced on 25th March 2020 and will end on 25th September 2020.
Environmental Planning & Assessment (COVID Development - Health Service Facilities) Order 2020

Under this order, approval is not required for a change of use of a building or place to a Health Service Facilities.

Under this order, approval is not required for the construction or installation of temporary structures associated with a Health Service Facilities.

Under this order, Health Service Facilities:

  • Must be carried out by or on behalf of:
    • The Health Administration Corporation, or
    • A public authority that owns the land.
  • have the consent of the owner of the land
  • must take steps to reduce noise
  • temporary structures must not remain in place for more than 4 months.

This Order commenced on 31st March 2020 and will end on 31st September 2020.
Environmental Planning & Assessment (COVID Development - Construction work days) Order 2020

Under this order, approval is not required to carry out any building work or work, or the demolition of a building or work on a Saturday, Sunday or public holidays.

Under this order, the work:

  • Must be subject of a development consent
  • must comply with all conditions of consent other than any condition restricting the hours and/or days of work
  • when carried out on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday:
    • comply with the hours of construction for normal days
    • not involve rock breaking, rock hammering, sheet piling, pile driving or similar activities
    • take all feasible and reasonable measures to minimise noise.

This Order commenced on 2nd April 2020 and will end on 2nd October 2020.

Environmental Planning & Assessment (COVID Development - Takeaway food and beverages) Order 2020

Under this order, approval is not required for a Food and DrinkPremises, for takeaway purposes only, to operate at the following:

  • a community facility
  • an educational establishment, business premises or office premises that was operating as a cooking school
  • food and drink premises
  • a function centre

Under this order, the food and drink premises:

  • Must comply with all conditions of consent (if consent issued) or development standards (if no consent required) other than:
    • the hours of operation
    • the use of the premises for the preparation, delivery of and the retail,takeaway only,sale of food and beverage
    • and number of employees
  • must have an existing kitchen or kitchenette facilities
  • make sufficient space for social distancing
  • not involve seating for customers
  • when operating outside the normal hours of operation of the site must take steps to reduce noise, smells, fumes or waste products that may adversely impact the neighbourhood.

Under this order, approval is not required for a mobile food and drink outletto operate at any time or place,for takeaway purposes only.

Under this order, the mobile food and drink outletmust:

  • Have the written consent of the owner of the land
  • not restrict and vehicular or pedestrian access
  • not obstruct the operation of any utility services
  • not be located within the canopy, or damage, any tree
  • not result in damage to public property
  • make sufficient space for social distancing
  • not involve seating for customers
  • if located on private land, be limited to 1 mobile food and drink outlet

Nothing in this Order affects the times at which liquor may be sold.

This Order commenced on 2nd April 2020 and will end on 2nd October 2020.

COVID-19 financial relief package

At the April Council meeting a COVID-19 financial relief package was approved.  The package includes:

1. removing the penalty interest applicable on overdue rates and annual charges by reducing the interest charge from 7.5% to 0% from 21 April 2020 until 31 August 2020

2. ceasing legal recovery otherwise required under Council’s Hardship Policy for those accounts that have outstanding balances until 31 August 2020

3. continuing to issue all annual, instalment and revised reminder notices to keep our ratepayers informed

Note: all accrued interest and outstanding debt balances prior to 21 April 2020 remain as outstanding debts

4. providing a simplified form for ratepayers suffering financial hardship due to COVID-19 to complete and request a payment deferment to August 2020 for ratepayers

5. continuing to pay small business within two weeks of receiving a correctly rendered invoice

6. ensuring users of Council facilities are receiving a credit or refund for cancellations relating to the COVID-19 pandemic

7. approving the waiving of outdoor dining fees during the pandemic

8. applying the National Cabinet mandatory Code of Conduct – SME Commercial Leasing principles during COVID-19 and holding all rent reviews for Council tenants for 12 months

The package will be reviewed and updated on a monthly basis to ensure that these measures remain relevant.

In a separate report Council also approved rental relief to lessees and licensees of public property impacted by COVID-19 for the period 25 March 2020 up to 30 September 2020.  Our Property Team is available to discuss arrangements with you.

Advice for sporting organisations

As the current Public Health Orders do not prevent any sporting organisation from resuming training, it is now sports turn to resume training, competitions and programs in a safe and responsible way.

Both the AIS and SportAus have developed resources to assist the recommencement of your code’s sport. Please visit the sites below for guidelines and recommendations for your organisation to follow.

https://www.sportaus.gov.au/return-to-sport#covid-19_safety_plan

https://ais.gov.au/health-wellbeing/covid-19#ais_framework_for_rebooting_sport

These resources should assist you in your planning, so that you can contribute to the health of our community in a positive manner and avoid compromising the health of your members or the community.

As your council we would like to assist you by printing COVID-19 safety signs which you can temporarily erect at your field or court when in your use.

Please visit the link below for examples of relevant posters you may wish to display:

https://www.sportaus.gov.au/return-to-sport#covid-19_hygiene_guidance

To arrange COVID-19 signage please email alysonh@kiama.nsw.gov.au

 

     
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