News Centre

MEDIA RELEASE 14 September 2021

Given the recent Covid exposure at Council’s Civic Centre, the Council meeting will be deferred to Wednesday, 22 September.

General Manager David Sherley said this will ensure that we can livestream the meeting to the community, as is normal practice in terms of our Community Engagement strategies.

“The Agenda remains the same as previously released,” he said.

“The Waste Management Centre will open to commercial users on Wednesday and we hope to have it open to the general public later this week, pending staff availability.”

Media Contact: Media Officer

Update on Council's Covid situation

Council has responded quickly after advice was received that a staff member has tested positive for Covid-19.

General Manager David Sherley said staff and Councillors received advice on Sunday afternoon to immediately get tested and isolate.

"A number of Council staff have been identified as Casual Contacts and others as Close Contacts," he said.

"Those identified as close contacts will be required to isolate with their household for 14 days and undergo a series of COVID tests.

“All casual contacts have also undergone testing and are isolating until negative results are returned."

Council’s Waste Management Centre is expected to re-open to commercial operators only on Wednesday morning, and to the broader community later in the week. Deep cleaning has been completed at gatehouse today.

Council’s ability to re-open the Waste Management Centre is subject to having enough staff available, as some are still waiting on results from COVID tests to be returned.

Council will continue to provide regular updates on the reopening of the centre.

For those who attended the Waste Management Centre when it re-opened, you are not required to have a COVID test. As always, continue to monitor for symptoms and get tested and isolate immediately if you have any cold or flu like symptoms. And continue to follow the advice from NSW Health.

Staff are continuing to work from home or from remote work locations and are available to provide customer service via phone and email. Please note there may be some delay in responses.

Council can be contacted via 6333 6111 or council@bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Media Contact: Media Officer

MEDIA RELEASE 12 September 2021

Bathurst Regional Council has today been advised that a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19.

General Manager David Sherley said Council has requested all staff who work at the Civic Centre and the Waste Management Centre to come forward for testing as a precautionary measure as there is a link between the two facilities.

“The Waste Management Centre was closed on Sunday as soon as Council became aware of a possible link between the two sites.”

“Council’s kerbside collection will continue this week, however contractors from JR Richards will be assisting Council with the collection of the general waste, red-lidded bin. This may mean bins are collected later than usual.”

“The Waste Management Centre will be closed to everyone on Monday September 13 while a deep clean is undertaken at the gatehouse.“

“The Civic Centre has been closed to the public since the introduction of Stay at Home Orders on Saturday 14 August 2021.”

“A large number of Council’s Civic Centre based staff are also continuing to work from home or from separate work locations. While the Civic Centre is closed for cleaning Council will be able to provide telephone customer service from an alternate location, however with a large number of staff being tested, there may be some delay in responses being provided.”

“We ask that you respect the privacy of the staff member impacted. Both the staff member and their close team members are dealing with a particularly stressful situation, and they require our support,” Mr Sherley said.

Council will continue to provide updates when more information becomes available.

MEDIA RELEASE 10 September 2021

Love Your Local

An online database has been created to help locals know who is still operating and how. To be listed, visit bathurstregion.com.au and fill in the registration form, or give Council’s Events Team a call on 6333 6111.

Spring School Holidays Activity Packs

Keep the kids entertained these school holidays with free spring school holidays activity packs filled with fun projects and activities for children of all ages. Visit bathurstregion.gov.au to register to receive your free pack.

Candidate Information webinars

The NSW Electoral Commission is running candidate information webinars in the lead up to the 4 December local government elections.

Information is available on the website at

www.elections.nsw.gov.au/Political-participants/Candidates-and-groups/Candidate-nominations-for-local-elections/Six-steps-to-being-a-candidate

11am Thursday, 16 September 2021 – General Information – To register visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/general-information-webinar-registration-167696987203

11am Tuesday, 28 September – Nominations – To register visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/nominations-webinar-registration-167698331223

Elections

Local council elections take place on 4 December 2021. The NSW Electoral Commission is looking for people to work at these elections. Working at the election is a good way to earn some money, learn new skills and help your community have their say. For more information visit

www.elections.nsw.gov.au

RDA Central West Photography Competition

‘There’s no place like home’ is this year’s theme for Regional Development Australia Central West’s

photography competition. Applications are now open with applicants encouraged to capture the essence of their hometown. Entries close Friday, 24 September.

More information visit www.rdacentralwest.org.au

Have Your Say

George Park Master Plan

A revised George Park Master Plan has been prepared as a result of the desire from sporting stakeholders for Council to set a clear direction to future needs at George Park for the growth and development of sport. This has been considered a priority as it will enable sporting groups to plan for their future at George Park and be able to plan on infrastructure projects and upgrades that have the support and approval of Council. To view the plan and to provide feedback, visit YourSay Bathurst.

Submissions close Monday, 27 September.

Pillars of Bathurst

Nominations for the 2022 Pillars of Bathurst project are open. If you’d like to participate in

this important local cultural heritage project by nominating someone visit YourSay Bathurst for more information.

Nominations close 25 October.

Visit yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Garage Sale Trail

The Garage Sale Trail is set to return to Bathurst over two weekends on November 13-14 and 20-21. Registration to participate is now open. For more information visit Council’s website, follow the BRC Events Facebook page or visit https://www.garagesaletrail.com.au/

Rate Payment Options

• Cash payments can be made at the Commonwealth Bank you will need your rate notice with you
• Cheques - mail to PMB 17 Bathurst NSW 2795
• Phone payments by card call 1300 407 843 (automated service) reference number is the Bpay reference number
• Internet banking Bpay via your financial institution.

For more information phone the rate customer service line on 6333 6132

ENDS

Media contact: Media Officer

MEDIA RELEASE 10 September 2021

Vaccinations to be available at Kelso Community hub

Mayor of Bathurst Ian North has endorsed a new walk-in vaccination centre, established by NSW Health, at the Kelso Community Hub which was announced by MP Paul Toole.

“It is important that we give all sections of our community a chance to easily access vaccinations,” he said.

“If you haven’t had the chance to get the jab yet, this is another opportunity for our residents and their families.”

Pfizer vaccines will be available for eligible people and the hub will run from Monday 12.00-4.00pm and Tuesday – Friday 10.00am -4.00pm.

Currently 67 per cent of the LGA have received their first dose and 35 per cent have received their second dose out of the 35 111 people that reside in the Bathurst LGA.

For more information visit www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au

ENDS

Media contact: Media Officer

ENDS

MEDIA RELEASE 10 September 2021

Council is continuing to improve footpaths around the central business district as part of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Fund round two thanks to the Federal Government. Around $300,000 will be spent upgrading the following footpaths:

• William St from the Eddy Hotel to the corner of Russell St
• Russell St from William St to Aldi
• Bentinck St from Keppel St to Heaths Ln
• Bentinck St from No 185 to No 191 to connect two previous sections of replaced footpath
• William St in front of the Pearl Petrol Station
• William St in front of Cobb & Co Cellars
• William St from the corner shop at Lambert St to Piper St
• Keppel St – section in front of The Hub

Mayor Ian North said ensuring the city’s footpaths were maintained was one of his priorities.

“Upgrading our city’s footpaths is important as it not only improves the streetscape around the central business district, it also improves accessibility,” he said.

The upgrades are in addition to $350,000 of footpath upgrades completed earlier this year around Machattie Park, Russell St, William St and Keppel St.

For more information visit www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au

ENDS

Media contact: Media Officer

MEDIA RELEASE 9 September 2021

Waste Management Centre to reopen

Following recently updated health advice from the EPA, the Waste Management Centre is set to reopen to the public.

Mayor Ian North said Council received advice from the EPA on Wednesday afternoon stating waste and recycling operations, including those open to the public, can recommence.

“The Waste Management Centre was closed to the public due to the public health order in place,” he said.

“Council now has received information from the EPA that household services, including waste and recycling services is a reason to leave your home.”

“The Waste Management Centre will be open to the public at 7.30am Friday morning, but we would encourage that people delay their visit if they can, to reduce queueing. The WMC will be open 8.30am – 3.30pm on the weekend.”

“Could I request that people are patient and are respectful to our hard-working WMC staff and to also observe Public Health Order requirements to wear a mask at all times and observe social distancing. QR code check in will be required by all members of the public that attend the Waste Management Centre.”

ENDS

Media contact: Media Officer

MEDIA RELEASE 3 August 2021

Save the date

Local government elections on 4 December. For more information visit www.elections.nsw.gov.au

Business webinar

Council in conjunction with the Bathurst Business Chamber is holding a free webinar via Zoom for businesses on how to adapt a food catering business to make to most of the latest restrictions.

Advice will include:

•maximising sales (what worked last year, what have we learnt from other lockdowns around the world, what’s working this year)

•engagement/communication with customers (how to maintain customer preference to your business when your store front is closed)

•re-emerge (start planning now – this will end and those that are prepared will benefit most).

The session is aimed at food retailers such as cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs.

Time: 5.30pm to 6.30pm

Date: Tuesday, 7 September

Email business@bathurst.nsw.gov.au to register.

RDA Central West Photography Competition

‘There’s no place like home’ is this year’s theme for Regional Development Australia Central West’s

photography competition. Applications are now open with applicants encouraged to capture the essence of their hometown.

More information visit www.rdacentralwest.org.au

Have Your Say

George Park Master Plan

A revised George Park Master Plan has been prepared as a result of the desire from sporting stakeholders for Council to set a clear direction to future needs at George Park for the growth and development of sport. This has been considered a priority as it will enable sporting groups to plan for their future at George Park and be able to plan on infrastructure projects and upgrades that have the support and approval of Council. To view the plan and to provide feedback, visit YourSay Bathurst.

Submissions close Monday, 27 September.

Pillars of Bathurst

Nominations for the 2022 Pillars of Bathurst project are open. If you’d like to participate in

this important local cultural heritage project by nominating someone visit YourSay Bathurst for more information.

Nominations close 25 October.

Visit yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Garage Sale Trail

The Garage Sale Trail is set to return to Bathurst over two weekends on November 13-14 and 20-21. Registration to participate opens in September. For more information visit Council’s website, follow the BRC Events Facebook page or visit https://www.garagesaletrail.com.au/

Rate Payment Options

• Cash payments can be made at the Commonwealth Bank you will need your rate notice with you
• Cheques - mail to PMB 17 Bathurst NSW 2795
• Phone payments by card call 1300 407 843 (automated service) reference number is the Bpay reference number
• Internet banking Bpay via your financial institution.

For more information phone the rate customer service line on 6333 6132

ENDS

Media contact: Media Contact

Council facilities remain closed under current public health orders

Council’s facilities that deal with members of the community remain closed to public access while the NSW Government’s Stay at Home orders are in place for regional NSW, including Bathurst Local Government Area.

Mayor Cr Ian North said Council has received a lot of enquiries in relation to the closure of the Waste Management Centre to the general public.

“Council’s actions in relation to the Waste Management Centre reflect advice received

from the EPA in relation to what is regarded as ‘essential travel’ and waste disposal,” he said.

“I want to clarify that for regional residents who don’t have a kerbside collection it is a

‘reasonable excuse’ for a person to leave their home to travel to the waste

management centre. For those with a kerbside collection it is not.”

Council staff are continuing to review the public health orders and will adjust the reclassification of Council-run facilities as the advice changes.

Who can access the Bathurst Waste Management Centre?

• Householders are not permitted to leave home to dispose of waste at the

WMC as it is not a reasonable excuse to leave home. Fines apply.

• Businesses with business generated waste, with an ABN located within the

Bathurst Regional Council Local Government Area will be allowed entry.

• Rural transfer stations remain open only for nearby rural residents. These

locations are under CCTV surveillance.

• Rural residents without access to a nearby rural transfer station may attend

the WMC and will need to show their driver licence indicating their address

through a closed window prior to entry.

Please remember to follow the public health orders currently in place and to get tested if you are feeling unwell. NSW Police are also conducting Operation Stay At Home in an effort to keep the region safe.

Media Contact: Media Officer