Council Closes Services to Protect Community

As part of Mansfield Shire Council’s pandemic plan response to protect the health of the community and staff, several services will be changed, cancelled or closed, effective today.

Mayor, Cr Marg Attley OAM said, in line with Federal and State Government recommendations, these Council decisions were made to support social distancing and cancel some non-essential gatherings or close facilities. 

“We encourage residents and ratepayers to phone or email Council to discuss requests, services or other Council business to reduce face-to-face exposure for the community and staff,” Cr Attley said.

“For the library, services can still be accessed on the phone or online and loan periods have been extended, as we know this service will be in high demand as people are more involved in social distancing. Home and Community Care clients will all be contacted directly about any changes to their packages.

“Our volunteers do an amazing job, but given most are in the age category most at risk in relation to COVID19, we will instead be using Council staff for essential activities such as meals-on-wheels deliveries.

“Council’s priority is always the health and safety of both our staff and the community as we continue to work through uncertain times and deliver vital and key services.

“I’d like to thank residents and ratepayers for their patience as we adjust to these changes. Closures of other facilities are likely,” Cr Attley said.

“We will continue to keep the community informed via the usual means; our website, Facebook, Mansfield Community Radio and the Mansfield Courier.”

Effective Thursday, 19 March 2020:

1. Library programs

All programs (i.e. Storytime) at the Mansfield Library are cancelled.  At this stage the Library will remain open for book borrowing and returns until midday on Saturday, 21 March and will then close until further notice. 

In an effort to support the community, loan periods will be extended from 4 to 8 weeks, fines for overdue items will be suspended and library staff will remain available via phone or email to respond to library related enquiries during standard library hours. 

Library members can continue to enjoy free access to a broad selection of online resources including eBooks, eAudiobooks and selected databases available with library membership go to www.mansfield.vic.gov.au/residents/community/library-services/online-library-resources

2. Youth programs

All youth programs including L2P, the school holiday program and the Scooter Jam are cancelled.  At this stage the Youth Centre will remain open until 6pm on Friday, 20 March and will then close until further notice

3. Home and Community Care

Home and Community Care package elements of Planned Activity Groups, Spring Club, Thursday Social Group, Men’s Group, EasyMovers and AquaMovers are cancelled. 

All clients participating in these programs have been notified and we will continue to communicate with these clients during this period to understand their needs and provide appropriate support. 

The Community Bus is cancelled as of Monday 23 March, to enable clients to complete shopping tasks and for the clients and service providers to consider other options.

4. Volunteers

Council has an incredible team of volunteers, however the majority of the volunteers are within the most at risk age category for COVID19. Council will not be using volunteers to deliver services during this period and Council staff will be redeployed to undertake essential activities such as meals-on-wheels deliveries.

Effective Friday, 20 March 2020:

Business Centre

Council will close the Business Centre in 33 Highett Street from 5pm on Friday. Residents and ratepayers are asked to discuss their Council matters over the phone or send an email. For those able to do Council business online, Council’s website also has a Submit a Request capability and residents can easily lodge requests or complaints this way.

At this stage, many other Council services remain operational with some changes to reduce person-to-person contact as well as triaging essential and non-essential components.

• Elements of the Home and Community Care packages such as personal care, respite, home maintenance, meals-on-wheels and transport that are essential to support clients to live independently in their home, will continue.  The Regional Assessment Service (RAS) will be modified to reduce person to person contact.
• Integrated family services, financial counselling and maternal child health will continue with modifications to support increased home visits and/or other methods which have reduced person to person contact.
• Whilst schools remain open, our schools crossing supervisors will assist students.
• Your bins will be collected as normal and the Resource Recovery Centre will be open.
• Permit applications will be assessed.
• Public toilets will continue to be cleaned, roads, community infrastructure and parks and gardens will be maintained and capital works will continue.
• The Mansfield Swimming Pool is a seasonal pool and the season will not change, closing on Sunday, 22 March.

The Covid-19 virus is a rapidly changing situation. We are constantly and carefully monitoring the situation as it evolves and will keep you updated as things change.

On Council’s emergency page: www.mansfield.vic.gov.au/emergency, there is a section outlining important information about the Coronavirus and Council’s actions.

ENDS