Townsville City Council is urging residents to check-in, at a safe distance, on their neighbours and make sure they’re not feeling isolated or worried about novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Council has developed a G’day Neighbour postcard for people to drop into letterboxes and let their neighbours know they’re thinking of them and available to help with things such as picking up groceries, walking their dog or posting mail. A Council spokesperson said the postcard is a great way for people to safely connect with residents on their street. “The G’day Neighbour postcard is a simple way to reach out to your neighbours and let them know how you’re able to help them if needed,” the spokesperson said.

The postcard highlights four ways people can make a positive difference in the community. These are:

  • Think of others, consider your actions and show compassion – be kind
  • Check on your neighbours – give them a call
  • Support vulnerable or isolated people
  • Share only accurate information and advice from trusted sources.

“Council is particularly encouraging residents to reach out to the elderly and those who are vulnerable or isolated.” The spokesperson said the postcard also highlights the best way to reduce the risk of getting coronavirus. “The postcard urges people to wash their hands regularly, use hand sanitizer between washes and avoid touching their face, nose and mouth,” the spokesperson said.

“It also reinforces the advice to remain at least 1.5 metres from other people.”

 

Residents can download the G’day Neighbour postcard from http://bit.ly/2ID9rVP

 

 

Pools, water parks to close

All Townsville City Council-owned pools as well as the Rockpool and water park on The Strand and the Riverway lagoons will close today in line with the Federal Government’s new social distancing restrictions to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Mayor and Townsville Local Disaster Management Group (TLDMG) chairperson Jenny Hill said the new rules put in place by the Federal Government last night were clear.

“The Prime Minister last night announced that all pools and sporting activities were to close down as Australians work to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Cr Hill said. “For Townsville City Council that means that we have to close the Rockpool, The Strand Waterpark, Long Tan Memorial Pool, Kokoda Memorial Pool, the Northern Beaches Leisure Centre and the Riverway lagoons. “All pool lessees have been notified. Pools and the Strand Waterpark will close from 5pm today. Barbecues are also being disconnected in these areas as per social distancing restrictions.

“Council is following the advice of the Federal Government closely. Council will also close Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, all CityLibraries, community centres and its customer service centre at 103 Walker St at close of business today.”

 

For more updates on COVID-19, visit health.qld.gov.au.

Townsville City Council venues to close

Townsville City Council has made the decision to close its CityLibraries, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, community centres and venues and its customer service centre walk-in service at 103 Walker Street as it works to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Council CEO Mike Chiodo said the decision comes following the Federal Government’s new social distancing restrictions that have closed pubs, clubs, gyms, sporting venues, entertainment venues, restaurants and places of worship.

“The stage one restrictions on social gatherings implemented by the Federal Government include a restriction on facilities. For Council, this includes three library branches, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, our sports and community venues, including Townsville Civic Theatre,” he said. “These closures will be in effect from 6pm Wednesday. “CityLibraries has an extensive online library service, including e-books, audio books and movies, which can be accessed through the Council website and we are preparing to livestream events like exhibition openings and library story time to continue to engage with the community.

“This is an important social distancing measure to keep people safe and will hopefully assist in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our community.” Mr Chiodo said closing this number of Council venues was unprecedented, but it was the right decision for Townsville. “We will also be restricting Council’s Customer Service Centre to being over-the-phone only. Planning applications will still be able to be submitted digitally, and council is preparing a physical drop off point for applications and survey plans to be physically submitted at boxes at Council,” he said.

“We want to do our part to keep our staff and community safe and slow the spread of COVID-19, and this includes following the new laws from the Federal Government. “The advice from the Federal Government is that these measures could be in place for up to six months. “Our staff members who work in these areas will continue with their jobs and in other areas of Council. Council is committed to supporting its staff through this period.”

For more updates on COVID-19, visit health.qld.gov.au.

How to use CityLibraries during the shutdown

  • Loan periods extended to 80 days
  • Loan limit increased to 80 books and 30 DVDs
  • Livestreaming of events to be announced at townsville.qld.gov.au
  • MiTownsville WiFi will still be available
  • Free eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, movies and study assistance will be available via townsville.qld.gov.au

Townsville City Council supporting local businesses in wake of COVID-19

Townsville City Council has added additional measures to the multimillion-dollar support package targeted at providing extra support to small businesses feeling the effects of COVID-19. These measures – that could be worth up to $30 million – were approved as part of a special council meeting earlier today.

The second part of the package will include provisions to support the over 300 contractors currently being utilised by Council, promote small businesses through social media, and redeploy Council staff to assist with essential community services. Townsville Local Disaster Management Group Chair Mayor Jenny Hill said these initiatives would be critical to ensuring as many of Townsville’s small businesses can remain as operational as possible.

“Council is rolling out these measures to help alleviate some of the hardship being felt by our small businesses as we manage the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cr Hill said. “We announced last week that we would be introducing a raft of measures that we endorsed today, and these extra measures will provide support to the businesses that are located both in the city, and in our suburbs. “Our message to Townsville residents is that they should be buying local, we’re seeing some incredible innovation from our small businesses and it would be great to see our community getting behind them.”

As part of the package to support local businesses, Council will also be looking to break up work packages – similar to the way the Water Pipeline contracts were tendered – to allow more contractors to secure work on Council projects. Council will also be changing its invoicing policy to facilitate the payment of contractor invoices within 14 days where possible, rather than the usual 30 days. Cr Hill said small things like this would make a huge impact on local industry and their ability to continue working during the pandemic.

“This is about minimising any cash flow burden on our small businesses that may experience hardship as a result of COVID-19,” Cr Hill said. “While we wanted this package to be available immediately, the increasing restrictions on social distancing may make this a long-term package for the recovery of the city. “This is also why we’ve announced the reduction in development application fees and infrastructure charges to keep development in the city moving. “I urge our residents to be responsible and practice good hygiene but to still lend their support to their favourite local shops – whether that be takeaway from restaurants, hairdressers, boutiques or fresh produce.”

These additional measures join the package worth $2.3 million that was announced last week.

Council media information: 0429 803 640

NATIONAL CALL TO PRAYER FOR  AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIANS

National church leaders from across the country have united together in a call to Australian Christians to pray in response to the Coronavirus that is gripping the world.
 
“The Church is standing in the gap as COVID19 Virus causes chaos in every sphere of society, and fear has gripped the hearts and minds of people everywhere,” said ACC National President, Pastor Wayne Alcorn. “Current predictions of worldwide organisations such as W.H.O. are dire, should this pandemic not be stopped. We believe prayer changes things.”
 
He mentioned that he has been greatly encouraged by the unity and overwhelming support of every expression of the Australian Church. This National Prayer initiative is supported by the heads of Church denominations and Christian ministries, which will commence on Thursday, 19 March at 19h00. 
 
“We are simply asking all Christians to set their alarms to pray at 19h00 each day, no matter what their time zone,” explained Pastor Wayne Alcorn. “The 19th and 19h00 is simply an effective numerical reminder and connection to COVID19.” 
 
As individuals and families begin to pray every day, a National Day of Prayer for the Nations amidst COVID-19 will commence on Sunday, 29 March 2020. This will be followed by a month of Sundays of united prayer, including the Easter services. 
 
With public gatherings over 100 suspended, most churches are embracing technology and holding services online. 
 
“People will be able to pray wherever they are, during this season,” said Pastor Wayne Alcorn.   “We, the Church of Jesus Christ, will stand united in prayer until we see this pandemic stopped.”