Council adapts to changing COVID-19 environment

Published on 01 April 2020

Responding to changing conditions from the Federal and State governments Snowy Valleys Council has initiated working from home policies and procedures for office staff and additional distancing and hygiene guidelines and tools for outdoor teams to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

CEO Matthew Hyde said as many office based people as possible were transitioning to work from home arrangements or leave arrangements. 

“The aim is to have very minimal numbers of workers in the office areas to ensure those staff that cannot work from home due to connectivity issues can practice essential social distancing,” he said.

“Most of our outdoor staff are continuing with their normal duties and implementing social distancing in regards to work proximity, travelling and shared areas wherever possible, and workers have been provided with information about hygiene and PPE requirements to manage any risks of exposure.

“Management plans have also been put in place to allow staff working in essential services to continue their work with risk mitigation strategies as well as for staff who are identified as high risk or vulnerable to ensure their wellbeing in line with government information,” Mr Hyde confirmed.

Council last week closed its doors to the public and are asking people to interact with council services via phone, email or on-line.

Mr Hyde said that staff are still available to provide customer service and to assist with customer requests just not face-to-face.

“We are working hard behind the scenes to keep delivering our services in alternative ways to help protect our people as well as our communities,” he said. 

“These are difficult and unprecedented times and our staff remain available via phone and email and will continue to do everything possible to assist customers with their enquiries”.

Council can be contacted during business hours via phone: 1300 ASK SVC (1300 275 782); Email: [email protected] or Website: www.svc.nsw.gov.au.