16 October 2020

NSW/Vic border closures

NSW has temporarily shut its border with Victoria to contain the spread of COVID-19.

From Friday 4 September, a single border region was reinstated that extends to around 50 kilometres on either side of the border.

This means all of Murray River Council is now within the border region. If you usually reside in the border region you will be eligible for a ‘border region resident’ permit.

Click here to apply for a NSW border entry permit.

Agricultural worker permits

Permits are now available on Service NSW website for critical agricultural workers. An overview and eligibility information can be found here.

Got a question?

For more information about border closures, including what is a ‘critical service’ and what you can and can’t do, go to the below NSW Government pages, which are being updated continuously:

• Border restrictions
• Your guide to border restrictions (FAQs)

Specific questions around these changes should be directed to Service NSW on 13 77 88 or via their website.

Border Crossings

The table below details the border crossings that will be open for those with permits, along with those that are closed and the suggested detour crossing points.

The closure of the bridges is at the direction of the NSW Police.

Please remember that delays are expected at the check points.

CROSSING	LOCATION	OPEN/CLOSED	NEXT AVAILABLE CROSSING
Tooleybuc Bridge	Tooleybuc	OPEN
Nyah Bridge	Nyah	**Check point for emergency vehicles and local traffic. Local traffic MUST have a valid border permit. Check point hours are from 7am to 10pm.	Swan Hill Bridge
Speewa Ferry	Speewa	CLOSED	Swan Hill Bridge
Swan Hill Bridge	Swan Hill	OPEN
Gonn Crossing	Murrabit	**Check point for emergency vehicles and local traffic. Local traffic MUST have a valid border permit. Check point hours are from 7am to 10pm.	Barham Bridge
Barham Bridge	Barham	OPEN
Echuca Moama Bridge	Moama	OPEN
Barmah Bridge	Mathoura	OPEN

For the latest advice about the latest restrictions and self-isolation requirements, visit the NSW Government.

Click on the tabs below to find latest updates on Council-related services.

Updates on Council Services

Due to the risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and acting on the advice of lead NSW and Federal health authorities, Council has taken the decision to temporarily close or change a number of services we provide to the community.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRES

Barham

Monday – Friday 9am-4pm
Council Business, VLine and Service NSW/RMS

Moama

Monday – Friday 9am-4pm
Council Business and Service NSW
- RMS by appointment only in Moama until further notice: call 1300 087 004 to make a booking.

Mathoura Visitor and Business Centre

Monday – Friday 9am-4pm
Bank, library, tourist Information and Council Business

Moulamein Business Centre

Monday – Thursday 9.30am-1pm
Bank, Council Business and Service NSW/RMS

NSW Driver Testing has now recommenced at our RMS locations. Customers need to book via 13 77 88 or via the RMS website

LIBRARIES

Moulamein Library:

Tuesday 2pm - 6.30pm, Friday 2pm – 6.30pm, Saturday 10am-12pm

Barham Library:

Tuesday 12pm – 5pm, Thursday 10am-3pm, Friday 12pm -5pm, Saturday 10am-12pm

Mathoura Library:

Monday – Friday 9-4pm

No Mobile library service is available at this time.

OUTDOOR FACILITIES

All public playgrounds, BBQ's and Skate Parks are now re-open.

You can use outdoor exercise and playground equipment, but do so with caution.

Wash your hands before and after you use this equipment.
Assume the person who has used the equipment before you has the virus.

Do not go out if you’re sick and maintain physical distancing.

Remember that the public gathering rule of no more than 10 still applies.

WASTE FACILITIES

Council’s waste facilities remain open to the public at this point in time, however this may change if directed by the authorities. All staff on site have been provided with the appropriate personal protective equipment to safely carry out daily operations.

In order to practice effective social distancing, maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from anyone around you, keep interactions to a minimum, avoid cash handling if possible or provide correct change.

It is even more important in these times to respect the instructions of staff. If they ask you to wait until the customer before you leaves the site, please do so.

CLOSURES

Council meetings

The Council meetings will still go ahead, however public presentations have been cancelled and the public gallery will be closed. You can livestream the meeting from here.

Youth Engagement Program

Youth Engagement Program social support services have been suspended. Virtual programs/activities are being developed.

Community Services

All Community Services social activities have been cancelled. Essential service requests via community services will be considered on a case-by-case basis and only fulfilled if deemed absolutely necessary. Community Services can be contacted on 1300 087 004.

General Information

The NSW Government is the key source of information when looking for the most up-to-date advice on matters relating to COVID-19.

The Australia Government Department of Health and NSW Health also provide daily updates on their websites.

Increased hygiene protocols

Remember the most effective thing you can do is to practice good hygiene. The federal government has launched a new campaign for the community on how to best protect yourself: more info.

Incident Management Team

Our executive Management Team is meeting regularly to oversee and coordinate how the organisation is responding to the situation. This ensures consistency and ensures we can respond to the needs of our staff and community.

The team will be constantly monitoring advice and assessing the impact on Council services.

Looking after our staff

We value the health and wellbeing of our staff. To support this we are implementing a range of measures to allow our staff to work from home or other locations to promote safe working environments. We are also rolling out the use of technology to encourage teams to work remotely but still collaborate online. This will ensure our critical services are maintained for the community.

Business Support

For information on business support, use the quick links below:

NSW Government Business Connect webinars for business impacted by COVID-19
Free online TAFE NSW courses to help businesses, including enhancing your digital impact
NSW Office of the Small Business Commissioner for dispute resolution and advice
Realise Business for individual subsidised business advice
ATO webinars webinars for small business from cashflow management to starting a new business
Advice and tips on engaging customers business.gov.au
Cyber security advice on how to protect your small business
Tourism Australia webinars and hub for support and assistance
Jobkeeper payment

Online services for our Customers

SERVICE NSW

For Service NSW enquiries click here

Head to the Service NSW website for information on the following services:

driver licence transactions
vehicle registration transactions
driver testing
boating licences and vessel registrations
contractor licence applications
applications for birth, death and marriage certificates
Seniors Card applications
RSA/RCG competency cards.

COUNCIL PAYMENTS

For Council rates and charges click here

Head to our rates page to find out how you can pay your rates and accounts with council, or you can call us and arrange payment over the phone on 1300 087 004.

COUNCIL ENQUIRIES

You can always drop us an email with your enquiry: admin@murrayriver.nsw.gov.au

Or call us...1300 087 004...

Our call centre operates 9am-4pm Monday to Friday.

Support for the vulnerable or frail

As all members of our MRC community continue to live and remain physically isolated, some members of our community may become more anxious from not feeling connected to their wider community.

We encourage individual residents to consider vulnerable people living within your local area, whom you may have lost visual contact with at present.

A neighbourly phone call to offer a verbal wellbeing check may go a long way to reassuring an isolated or vulnerable person that support is available.

Asking a discrete question on whether they require any supports to help them live safely at home may reveal a need for shopping items, or particular services or supports, currently not being met.

Any immediate concerns for a vulnerable or frail person living in our community can be directed to your local health nurse via a phone call to the Community Care Intake Centre on 1800 654 324.

General information regarding additional services e.g. grocery, meals on wheels deliveries, community transport or phone social support can be directed to the Murray River Council - Community Services Team on 1300 087 004. The team are available Monday to Friday 9 - 4pm, and very happy to take your call.

The NSW Seniors Rights Service also offers phone support to Seniors feeling affected by the current living restrictions. Their call centre number is 1800 424 079.

We are doing our very best to keep in contact with vulnerable members within our community and will very much appreciate your assistance to offer reassurance in these uncertain times.