COVID-19

AlburyCity has been advised that the Public Holidays Act 2010 (NSW) requires that declarations be published at least seven days prior to the public holiday (s5).

In this case, as there is not a period of seven days available until the public holiday for the Gold Cup there is no legislative capacity to rescind the public holiday declaration previously declared.

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Although some events and gatherings of more than 100 people have been cancelled or postponed in line with government requirements, all Councillors and our teams continue to work together to provide the support and services the community needs whilst keeping our people and our community safe.

In the event of the situation worsening, Council has business continuity plans that will ensure important and essential services will continue to be provided, regardless of circumstances.

My suggestion earlier today that such movement restrictions could be introduced reflect the seriousness of the situation we’re facing and the potential for even tougher measures to be taken if the community does not take the Covid-19 threat seriously.

We are continuing to work with governments and our neighbours in Wodonga to minimise the spread of the virus and to plan for and support harsher contingencies when the situation worsens.

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From today, the following facilities will be closed until further notice:

• Retro Lane Café
• Mirambeena Community Centre
• Glenecho Community Centre
• Albury Swim Centre
• Lavington Swim Centre
• Lavington Library
• LibraryMuseum
• Home library service
• Visitor Information Centre

From close of business on Friday, our Customer Service Centre in our Kiewa Street offices will be closed to face-to-face contact. However, our team will still be available to assist the community via phone, email and website inquiries.

In support of reducing the impacts of COVID-19 within our community and in line with the Public Health (COVID-19 Places of Social Gathering) Order 2020, we will today commence closing all outdoor play spaces including playgrounds, skate parks and fitness stations.

This includes the following:

• All 81 playgrounds
• Three skate parks, and skate elements within our other playground areas
• Three fitness stations

Whilst our playgrounds are closed our remaining parks, open spaces, reserves and walking tracks and trails are still open.

Mayors Cr Kevin Mack and Cr Anna Speedie are reminding residents that ‘kindness is catching’ as part of a campaign to encourage community members to look after each other and themselves by staying connected, staying healthy and being neighbourly.

The councils will share the “kindness is catching” message over coming weeks to help the community combat social isolation, loneliness and additional stress during this uncertain time.

At the Council meeting on Monday 27 April, AlburyCity Councillors decided to implement a range of measures to assist our community.

We have compiled a summary of the immediate relief and support relevant to businesses below:

Among those projects will be the ongoing works to develop the Riverside Precinct near the Albury Swim Centre, major sports and recreational facilities, new playgrounds and the extension of the Wagirra Trail to create an even more attractive drawcard for cyclists, walkers and nature-lovers.

A collaboration between AlburyCity and Murray River police, the ‘No Excuse’ campaign calls for victims, perpetrators and witnesses to seek help through the national 24-hour hotlines, 1800 RESPECT or Mensline on 1300 789978.

In the first stage of the campaign, three commercials, presented by the Member for Albury, Justin Clancy, will air on four TV channels from tomorrow.

AlburyCity Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Border Domestic Violence Network,  Amanda Cohn, said support was always available.

Council understands the NSW Government has supported Melbourne Storm’s location to Albury as a temporary training base and is awaiting written confirmation.