MOUNT Gambier Regional Airport and Glenburnie Saleyards will remain operational amid a suite of new measures being swept in by Grant District Council in response to the COVID-19 health crisis.
But passengers flowing through the terminal will need to follow social distancing protocols amid barriers being erected.
Mayor Richard Sage (pictured right) – who released an official statement yesterday – also urged people attending the livestock selling centre to also follow social distancing measures to safeguard themselves and the community.
This COVID-19 virus is challenging the way we all live and work and for some it can be quite frightening.
“Protecting the health and safety of our community and staff is a priority for council,” Mr Sage said.
He said council enacted its Business Continuity Plan this week to provide guidance on how it could maintain important services.
“Council is closely monitoring the situation and adhering to health advice issued by the Federal Department of Health, SA Health along with the Local Government Association to ensure that we are prepared to help reduce the incidence of a potential outbreak and try and help to keep our community safe.”
He said customer service centres at Commercial Street West and the Port MacDonnell Community Complex would remain open.
“On behalf of myself, elected members and council staff we ask that you continue to show kindness and community spirit as we progress through the different phases of response to this crisis.”
Mr Sage said council was committed to providing the community updates from credible sources.
“The world as we know it has changed with the COVID-19 crisis evolving on a daily basis and it presents council and our community with new and unexpected challenges,” he said.
In a move to reduce the potential risk, council requests people telephone, email or access the YourSayDCG as their first preference to contact council and reduce attendances at the offices in person unless the matter is
urgent.
“Council is committed to delivering its services for our community, but in the event of a staff member or one of our elected members falling ill and the site being quarantined.”
Satellite offices have been established at the Mount Gambier Regional Airport administration building and the Port MacDonnell Community Complex and Works Teams will also operate from the Port MacDonnell depot.
Immediate changes included the suspension of council’s Youth on Wheels program and other volunteer programs.
All community and holiday programs and activities at the Port MacDonnell Community Complex have been suspended, however the complex remains open to the public.
Continuation of the Complex in its current operation will consistently be reviewed as real-time information is presented.
“We are encouraging staff and elected members to cancel any non-essential meetings and shift to online platforms, telephone or email,” Mr Sage said.
Staff are not permitted to travel for business purposes interstate or intrastate.
Council is setting up protocols and infrastructure for staff so they may work from home as required.
Ongoing BCP team meetings will occur, with the sole aim of maintaining business continuity, community and staff safety.
Social distancing barriers have also been installed at council’s Mount Gambier principle office and Port MacDonnell Community Complex.
Council has established a portal on yoursaydcg.com.au/covid-19 where it will publish information from the Federal Department of Health, SA Health and the Local Government Association, along with service level changes for its council area.
