25 March, 2020

Gunnedah Shire Council is urging residents to continue taking all possible precautions against Coronavirus.

“A calm, considered approach is the key to staying safe and healthy at this time,” Gunnedah Shire Council General Manager Eric Groth said.

“Observe social distancing, take hygiene precautions and always keep others in mind if you are out and about. This is something we need to deal with as a community who look out for each other.

“Gunnedah Shire Council has moved into the orange stage of its yellow-orange-red Coronavirus Response Strategy and has made changes to services in line with the moves now mandated by the Federal Government.

“We know our community is already starting to do it tough. Please support your local businesses within the requirements of social distancing and look out for your neighbours.”

There are confirmed cases of Coronavirus at Tamworth, and residents are urged to restrict their contact with people outside the household and limit their movements to essential travel.

Today:

Public toilets at Brocks Court, Mullaley Road, Redbank Road and O’Keefe Pavilion remain open with an increased cleaning regimen. Village toilets are under review.

Playgrounds will be closed as it is difficult to guarantee continuous cleaning of playgrounds and to prevent people congregating in them. Parks and sporting fields remain open for people to exercise while adhering to social distancing requirements. Please note, outside training sessions have now been limited to 10 by the Federal Government.

GoCo is continuing to look after the elderly in our community. While the office doors are not open, services continue with GoCo still working to support clients and continuing to provide essential services to Home Care Package and Commonwealth Home Support Program clients, as well as essential transport services.

Waste Management Facility opening times have not changed. Council asks that people pay by eftpos, preferably tap and go, at the Gunnedah Waste Management Facility. Other rural waste facilities will continue to accept cash payments where card facilities are not available.

Please ensure you are only using the facility for essential reasons – general waste is a priority. Social distancing will also be enforced.

For a full list of changes to Gunnedah Shire Council services, visit www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au

Gunnedah Shire Council is continuing to monitor and act on the situation daily, with the health and safety of Gunnedah Shire residents and council staff and customers as our first priority.

To help out our community, Gunnedah Shire Councillors has endorsed a move to freeze interest accrual against rates, fees and charges that are currently outstanding or may become outstanding.

Council has also agreed to cease the escalation of any outstanding accounts to formal debt recovery processes.

For more information about Coronavirus, visit or call:
• NSW Health – www.health.nsw.gov.au
• Australian Government Department of Health – https://www.health.gov.au/
• Coronavirus Health Information Line - 1800 020 080

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.