Hindmarsh Shire Council - COVID-19 Council Update

Published on 03 April 2020

As a further precautionary response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic Hindmarsh Shire Council has cancelled its scheduled council meetings due to be held on Wednesday 22 April and Wednesday 10 June 2020. Meetings scheduled for 13 May and 24 June 2020 will be moved to the Nhill Memorial Community Centre, if they are able to go ahead. It may be necessary for these meetings to take place unless the Victorian government makes changes to council budget timelines.

Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor, Cr Rob Gersch said: “Council had previously cancelled the Wednesday 1 April 2020 council meeting but due to the continuing pandemic we have now cancelled the meetings scheduled for 22 April and 10 June 2020”.

He continued “At this stage meetings which are scheduled for 13 May and 24 June 2020 will go ahead, but will be moved to the Nhill Memorial Community Centre.”

“Council’s continued priority is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff, community, volunteers and councillors. Accordingly, we are monitoring and complying with directions from the state and federal governments and appropriate authorities, and will continue to review the situation prior to any future council meetings”, Cr Gersch said.

Hindmarsh Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Mr Greg Wood said “As a result of additional compliance conditions for COVID-19, we will be making further adjustments to council’s customer service centres. They remain closed for face to face contact with staff continuing to be available by telephone on 03 5391 4444 or email info@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au’.

“However, because of the need for council staff to be relocated or redeployed in order to continue providing essential services, the telephone operating system for customer service will be closed from 12.00 noon on Thursday 9 April over the Easter break and reopen at 10.00am on Wednesday 15 April 2020. Customer service phones will be operational between the hours of 10.00am and 3.00pm from Monday to Friday from 15 April 2020 until further notice” said Mr Wood.

“The mayor, councillors, staff and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all residents for their understanding and acceptance of the conditions we are all now forced to work and live under

because of COVID-19. Further updates to these arrangements will be publicised as circumstances change.” Mr Wood concluded.

Greg Wood
Chief Executive Officer