SVC RESPONSE TO COVID-19 FOR EVENTS, COMMITTEES AND FACILITY USERS

Published on 23 March 2020

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At the March 2020 Council Meeting, Snowy Valleys Council endorsed a series of local measures in relation to community and Council events in response to the rapidly changing environment around the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council continues to take advice and guidance from the New South Wales Government (NSW Health) and the Federal Government (Department of Health) which are the lead agencies in this situation when developing and implementing guidelines for our staff and local community.

The measures adopted by Council reflect that the situation is continuously evolving and that we are having to respond to increasingly stringent advice being released in the interests of community safety and to slow the spread of the virus.

In accordance with the Prime Minister’s advice and the increased requirement for social distancing, we have established a local response to cease mass gatherings and events organised by Council or being held in Council facilities until at least the end of May 2020, with the option to extend if required.

The following measures will take effect immediately:

  1. community groups that use Council owned/managed facilities will be required to cease operations until further notice. Council may choose to close facilities where safe standards cannot be maintained
  2. all Council events which are programmed to occur until the end May 2020 including those organised under the s.355 committee arrangement, are to be cancelled or postponed
  3. all Council led committee and working group meetings, including those of s.355 and advisory committees, where no urgent decisions are required, are cancelled until the end of May 2020. Meetings where urgent business is required will be facilitated by video, phone or other alternative means where this is possible.
  4. Council will arrange for the reimbursement of any fees paid for the use of Council facilities and services where the facilities and services would not be available due to COVID-19 closures
  5. Council will extend the timeline for grants where Council is the sole provider of the grants and support community groups requesting an extension of grants where the grants are outside the control of Council

Please note that these arrangements may be extended.

We understand that having to cancel events, functions and meetings can be very disappointing, but I trust that everyone joins me in ensuring that the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our community must take priority at this time.