Service updates - COVID 19

21 December 2020

With the ongoing risk of COVID-19 in the community, a number of public health measures are now in place for regional NSW outside the Greater Sydney region (including Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Shellharbour and Wollongong).

These include:

People who have been in the Greater Sydney region (including Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Shellharbour and Wollongong) on or after 21 June should follow the stay-at-home measures for a period of 14 days after they left Greater Sydney
Visitors to households will be limited to 5 guests – including children
Masks will be compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including workplaces, and at organised outdoor events
Drinking while standing at indoor venues will not be allowed
Singing by audiences and choirs at indoor venues or by congregants at indoor places of worship will not be allowed
Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs; however, dancing is allowed at weddings for the wedding party only (no more than 20 people)
Dance and gym classes limited to 20 people per class (masks must be worn)
The one person per four square metre rule will be re-introduced for all indoor and outdoor settings, including weddings and funerals
Outdoor seated, ticketed events will be limited to 50 per cent seated capacity.

Every business is encouraged to have the NSW Government QR code system in place and have every customer check in and out.

Getting tested and following NSW Health advice even with the slightest symptoms is especially important during this time. Everyone's actions will make a difference.

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

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

Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination program – what you need to know

The Australian Government has started the COVID-19 vaccination program, a significant milestone. The COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Australia have passed the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) rigorous assessment and approval processes to ensure they are effective and safe for use. Millions of doses of the COVID-19 vaccines available in Australia have already been given worldwide.

People who are most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19 or who have the highest risk of being exposed to the virus are being offered the vaccine first. This includes 35,000 frontline quarantine, border and healthcare workers, as well as aged and disability care staff and residents. People in this phase are being contacted directly with further information about how, when and where to get vaccinated.

The COVID-19 vaccines will then be offered to other priority groups, and progressively made available to all adults who wish to be vaccinated. You can find out what phase you are likely to be in at nsw.gov.au. The vaccine is free for everyone, including people without a Medicare card.

Even with the COVID-19 vaccination program now underway, COVID safe behaviours are just as important as ever – particularly as we head into the cooler months and spend more time indoors.

Hand washing, staying 1.5m apart, wearing masks where it is mandatory and when you can’t distance, staying home if unwell and getting tested immediately with even the mildest of symptoms, will help keep NSW COVID safe and our community open.

For the latest updates or information visit health.gov.au and nsw.gov.au. You can also call the national COVID-19 vaccine helpline on 1800 020 080, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Updates on Council Services

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

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.

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.