Shire to close facilities during snap lockdown

THE Surf Coast Shire council will close several of its facilities as of midnight tonight (Thursday, May 27) to comply with the Victorian Government’s snap seven-day lockdown.

The council’s customer service will revert to online and phone based services – there will be no over-the-counter service during the lockdown period, which is expected to end on Friday, June 4. The service will be open between 8.30am-5 pm (Monday to Friday). Phone: (03) 5261 0600 or 1300 610 600, or email [email protected]

People should not visit the Anglesea landfill or local transfer stations during the lockdown. Landfill services remain available for approved construction requirements. The Anglesea Resale Shed will remain closed until further notice.

Primary and secondary schools will revert to remote learning, but kindergarten/occasional care/family day care are open for all children. For safety, additional precautions are in place including staggered drop-off and pick-ups, staff greeting children at the gate, children washing hands before interactions and play, some changes to room layouts and activities.

The Surf Coast Shire Maternal and Child Health service remains available to provide support to the community. Families with appointments during this period will be contacted by a nurse, as consultations will continue to take place onsite and via home visits with additional safety precautions in place.

New Parent Groups have moved online. For more information, email [email protected]

Venue hire and activities at shire facilities such as the Kurrambee Myaring Community Centre and Torquay Children’s Hub have been suspended until further notice.

Beach car parks and roads are open, but parking regulations will be strictly enforced at all beach locations across the Surf Coast Shire.

Motorists will be able to park in designated parking bays only, and parking regulations will be monitored and strictly enforced. Cars must not be double parked or parked along access roads.

Parking restrictions remain in place on the west (Anglesea) side of Point Addis Road.

“The above arrangements will be reviewed each day and if social gathering requirements are not observed it may be necessary to make further changes to prevent public gatherings in accordance with the directions of the Chief Health Officer,” the Surf Coast Shire’s website states.

“Above all else the direction is if you can stay at home, you must stay at home.”

The Torquay and Lorne Visitor Information Centres revert to online support only from tomorrow (Friday, May 28), the Australian National Surf Museum is closed but is now running virtual tours for schools, and the council will hold its Special Council Meeting for Hearing Submissions on Tuesday, June 1 at 6pm virtually via Zoom.

For more information, head to the Surf Coast Shire’s website.