Covid-19 – Community Information
This page has been established to provide the Kyogle Council community with relevant information about the Covid-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic as it becomes available and to update residents and ratepayers on Council’s services.
The safety of our communities and employees is Kyogle Council’s number one priority and to that end we are taking advice from the NSW and Federal Governments in relation to Covid-19.
Council aims to maintain service levels to our communities as much as possible, however that may change at short notice.
Council’s administration centre remains open, however social distancing guidelines apply (see below) and customers are asked to use the hand sanitizer, which is available at the front counter, on arrival. The operation of the administration centre will be reviewed depending on the volume of face-to-face traffic coming in.
Community members are reminded that most business with Council can now be conducted on-line or over the phone (6632 1611).
- You can pay your rates, water rates and debtor accounts as well as lodge a customer request on line.
- You can download all of Council’s forms and applications, including development applications, lodge them by email (council@kyogle.nsw.gov.au) and pay any associated fees over the phone with a credit card (please note an 0.6 per cent surcharge applies to credit cards).
- Report a lost animal, lodge a submission, and provide feedback on line.
- All of the documents that Council places on public exhibition are available to view on Council’s website.
- Read Council’s meeting agendas and minutes on Council’s website and listen to the podcast of Council meetings
People who do not have access to a computer, can always phone Council (6632 1611) and talk to our customer service staff about what they can do to help you.
Council services
Most Council services are operating as normal, as resources allow. However, this may change at short notice and there have been some disruptions to a number of non-essential services.
What’s operating and what’s not
- Kyogle library, including the mobile library has re-opened.
- Kyogle Visitor Information Centre has re-opened.
- Kyogle Museum has re-opened.
- Roxy Gallery has re-opened. Opening hours are 10am-3pm Wednesday t0 Friday and 10am-2pm Saturday.
- The Kyogle Memorial Institute (KMI) Hall has re-opened and is available for bookings.
- Council’s three public swimming pools are open.
- Council’s administration centre is open.
- All waste facilities remain open.
- Construction and maintenance crews remain on the job.
There may be further disruptions and delays as the Covid-19 situation develops. Council will provide regular updates on this page and social media.
Community support
Business
The Australian Government is rolling out comprehensive targeted assistance to support small and medium sized businesses in response to the pandemic. Call the business.gov.au hotline on 13 28 46 to speak with a specialist adviser about what support is available. Open seven days a week from 7am-11pm AEST. For more information visit business.gov.au or click on the fact sheets below:
- Cash flow assistance for businesses
- Delivering support for business investment
- Providing temporary relief for financially distressed businesses
- Assistance for severely affected regions and sectors
Individuals
As part of the Federal Government’s stimulus packages, support is being provided for individuals and families.
- Income support for individuals
- Payments to support households
- Early access to superannuation
- Providing support for retirees to manage market volatility
NBN Co to establish financial relief and assistance package
NBN Co has announced it will establish a $150 million financial relief and assistance fund to help internet providers to support their residential and small and medium business customers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The relief fund, created following a short industry consultation led by NBN Co, is aimed at helping internet providers connect low-income households with home schooling needs, supporting emergency and essential services, and assisting small and medium businesses and residential customers who are facing financial hardship.
What you need to know about Covid-19
NSW Health says the best way to protect yourself and your family is the same as you would against any respiratory infection. Practice good hygiene by:
- making sure to clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub
- cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or a flexed elbow
- avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
You should also make sure you stay home if you are sick and practice social distancing.
Social distancing means we reduce the number of close physical and social contacts we have with one another.
While practising social distancing, people can travel to work (including public transport). For non-essential activities outside the workplace or attendance at schools, universities and childcare – social distancing includes:
- avoiding crowds and mass gatherings where it is difficult to keep the appropriate distance away from others
- avoiding small gatherings in enclosed spaces, for example family celebrations
- attempting to keep a distance of 1.5 metres between themselves and other people where possible, for example when they are out and about in public place.
- avoiding shaking hands, hugging, or kissing other people.
- avoiding visiting vulnerable people, such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals, infants, or people with compromised immune systems due to illness or medical treatment.
For more information about social distancing, refer to NSW Government – Social distancing
For the most up-to-date information on Covid-19 click on the following links:
- NSW Department of Health Covid-19 frequently asked questions
- NSW Health
- Australian Government Department of Health