Council service updates for current lockdown
Published on 27 May 2021
Following an increase in COVID-19 cases, the state government has reintroduced a number of restrictions. Victoria's seven day circuit breaker lockdown has been extended for another week. All venues and facilities are closed except for essential services. This mirrors most components of the Stage 4 lockdown in August 2020 and February 2021.
The lockdown affects a number of Council services and events.
From now until11.59pm Thursday 10 June, the restrictions include:
- Permitted to leave our homes for five reasons: to shop for supplies; provide care; essential work or education; two hours of exercise with up to one other person; and to get vaccinated
- Remain within a 10km radius of our home
- Private and public gatherings are not permitted
- Early learning and child care facilities are open. Schools are closed (but open for vulnerable families and VCE students)
Masks are also required indoors and outdoors (unless an exemption applies).
Customer Service
Our face-to-face Customer Service function at the Altona Civic Centre will be closed for the lockdown period. The Customer Service team will continue servicing the community through phone on 1300 179 944, email at customerservice@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au or via the live chat function at www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.
Libraries and community centres
All Hobsons Bay Library branches, community centres and hubs will be closed to all patrons, including private bookings. From Monday 7 June, Hobsons Bay Libraries will offer a 'click and collect' service. Customers will be able to reserve books online or over the phone and will be advised via SMS when the items are ready for collection. No appointments are needed to collect items but customers will need to register via the QR code and provide their library card upon collection. Library staff will place items on a table at the entrance for customers to collect. To reserve your books, search the library catalogue at https://libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ or have a chat with a librarian on 1300 462 542.
Events and consultation sessions
Council-delivered face-to-face events or consultation sessions will be postponed or delivered online. The Laverton tree giveaway event, which was scheduled for Saturday 5 June, will be postponed.
Sporting services
Indoor and outdoor sports clubs, sporting and recreation venues, gyms, pools and public facilities will be closed.
Operations Centre services
The Operations Centre staff will still be maintaining our city’s public amenity i.e. street sweeping, litter collection, shared trail/open space maintenance, etc.
Playgrounds
Outdoor playgrounds will remain open. Touch point cleaning of playgrounds will occur regularly. Skate parks will also remain open.
Waste services
Our waste services will continue as an essential service. The kerbside recycling bin check program will cease during the lockdown.
Community Life
Maternal and Child Health Services will still see young and vulnerable babies in centres, babies and children older than eight weeks will have shortened appointments to 15 minutes with follow-up Telehealth appointments. Breastfeeding support will continue face-to-face, while sleep-settling and new parent groups will move online.
The immunisation session on Tuesday and Thursday next week will still be delivered.
Supported playgroups have been suspended and pre-school field officers services will be delivered online and by phone.
Youth counselling will be delivered online. Intake and assessment services will be delivered over the phone.
Planned Activity Group services will pause, so too will occasional care, and we will support our older adult clients with well-being phone calls.
Delivered meals will continue.
Other
Creative studios, entertainment venues and non-essential retail will close. The Hobsons Bay Visitor Information Centre will also close.