Council eases in changes

Northern Grampians Shire Council services will continue to reopen to the public as COVID-19 restrictions ease, but with strict conditions.

While some council services and facilities can reopen, the council is asking the public to be aware of and only use services if absolutely necessary.

Northern Grampians Shire customer service centres in Stawell and St Arnaud reopened on Monday with limits on the number of people to be in the reception areas at any time.

Stawell Town Hall office is open from 8.30am to 4.45pm, Monday to Friday, with a limit of five small groups and patrons required to stand on marked areas of the floor. The St Arnaud office is open from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, with a limit of six people allowed in the reception area at any time.

Council leaders expect and will enforce social-distancing protocols of 1.5 metres’ distance between people in customer-service areas and provide hand sanitiser at centre entries and exits.

Council is installing clear plastic screens at customer-service desks to ensure safety of staff and the community.

Northern Grampians Shire libraries opened their doors yesterday and also have conditions of entry and use patrons must follow. There will be a mandatory recording of names of visitors who stay in the libraries for more than 15 minutes.

Computer use will be unavailable and the libraries will not be able to accommodate people sitting and reading in the library during this first stage of opening.

Stawell Sports and Aquatic Centre has opened its indoor pool for public use while the remainder of the centre, including the spa, gym, stadium and racquetball courts, will remain closed until June 22.