Coronavirus (COVID-19)
How coronavirus is impacting Randwick City
Randwick City Council is closely monitoring the outbreak of the coronavirus and we are taking advice from NSW Health to assist in our response. The well-being and safety of our staff and community is our top priority.
For specific health-related advice about coronavirus visit NSW Health and Australian Government - Department of Health.
COVID-19 emergency relief support
Service snapshot
Content last updated: 14 July 2020, 2.30pm
| Service | Status | More info |
|---|---|---|
| Beaches |  | Open |
| Community Centres |  | Partial |
| Community Nursery | | Open |
| Des Renford Leisure Centre | | Open |
| Randwick Recycling Centre | | Open |
| Randwick Customer Service Centre | | Open |
| La Perouse Museum | | Open |
| Libraries |
| Open |
| Ocean pools |
| Open (max 10 people) |
| Playgrounds |
| Open |
| Randwick Town Hall | | Open (max 84 people in Town Hall, 15 in Malabar Room) |
| Sports fields | | Open |
On this page
- How is coronavirus affecting Council operations?
- Facilities and community centres / halls
- Events and activities
- What you need to know about social distancing and hygiene
- More information
- Latest news updates from Randwick Council
- 3 June 2020 - More Council services set to reopen
- 1 June 2020 - Sports fields to reopen for training only
- 27 May 2020 - Libraries reopen for limited services
- 13 May 2020 - Playgrounds, outdoor gyms and other recreational spaces to open
- 27 April 2020 - Randwick City beaches available for exercise only
- 24 April 2020 - Numbers to be tightly controlled over Anzac Day weekend
- 23 April 2020 - Exercise only message emphasised at beaches and parks
- 22 April 2020 - Beaches, what you can and can't do
- 19 April 2020 - Beaches available for exercise
- 8 April 2020 - Coastal walkway detours in place for Easter long weekend
- 8 April 2020 - Spread Kindness Not Germs message hits the streets of Randwick
- 2 April 2020 - Parking help for frontline hospital staff
- 27 March 2020 - Continued community closures amid COVID-19
- 25 March 2020 - Randwick Council endorses $2.3M COVID-19 community support package
- 21 March 2020 - Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly Beaches closed for Sunday 22 March 2020
- 13 March 2020 - Randwick Council cancels The Spot Festival
What is Council doing to help?
Businesses
Business COVID-19 support & resources
COVID-19 Safety Plans help to protect your staff, customers and visitors as you get back to business. Some businesses will need to complete a COVID-19 Safety Plan under the public health orders, but you can also voluntarily complete one. Find out how to become a COVID Safe business.
At the Council meeting held on Tuesday 25 March, Council endorsed a $2.3 million COVID-19 community support package. Details of the packaged included waiving a range of Council fees for businesses including:
- fire safety inspection fees;
- environmental health inspection fees;
- outdoor dining and footpath fees;
- sporting field hire for local sporting groups;
- waiving interest on all overdue rates and charges for the next six months;
- and up to 100% rental relief for Council business tenants and not-for-profit community groups in Council-owned properties.
Other details include providing temporary parking for hospital workers. Further information can be read here.
Community care cards
Our community spirit has always been strong - that's why our motto is 'a sense of community'. To help the community help each other, we have produced some Community Care Cards that allow you to easily check-in on your neighbour. If you're worried about someone who lives near you or just want to say hi, why not drop a note in their mailbox?
Community Support Package
Priority parking for hospital workers and waiving a range of Council fees and charges are part of a $2.3M Randwick Council COVID-19 community support package announced by Randwick Mayor Danny Said on 25 March 2020. Find out more.
Rates
Will I be charged interest for paying my rates late?
You will not be charged interest for non-payment or late payment of rates over the next six months. We are providing relief to ratepayers by waiving all interest charges to 25 September 2020.
Do I have to pay my Rates?
We understand that these are unprecedented and difficult financial times. If you can, you are encouraged to still pay your rates when they fall due. We do understand that this may not be possible for many ratepayers.
If you are unable to pay your rates at the present time, we will not charge any interest for the next six months (until 25 September 2020). Your rate account will simply sit in arrears and can be paid at a later date when your circumstances improve.
If it helps you to manage your finances, we are happy to set you up with a payment arrangement, even if the amount you are able to pay is only small. To discuss a payment arrangement or any other payment circumstances, please lodge an enquiry via our Contact Us form on our website. A member of our Rates Team will get back to you within a few days.
How can I make my payment?
We are acting on State Government advice in minimising the handling of cash during this critical period. We ask our customers to keep safe by paying their bills from home. Multiple online and telephone payment options are available so there is no need to visit our offices to make a payment by cash or cheque.
Our payment options for rates include: our website, BPAY, Australia Post Billpay and Direct Debit. Check your latest notice or our website for more details. Online payment options also exist for other payments to Council, visit our Rates and Other Payments page for more information. Contact us on 1300 722 542 if you have any questions.
How is coronavirus affecting Council operations?
Basketball courts
All outdoot basketball courts are currently open.
Beaches
All Randwick City beaches (Clovelly, Coogee, Maroubra, Malabar, Little Bay and La Perouse Beaches) are accessible for recreation. People must maintain social distancing, limit gatherings to 10 people or less. If you feel unwell, please do not come to the beach. Beachside car parks are also reopening. For the latest beach status please refer to our Lifeguard Surf Report page.
Bushcare volunteers
Volunteer bushcare activities are are cancelled until further notice. More details.
Coastal Walkway
The Coastal Walkway is open. The Malabar Headland Boora Point (eastern) walkway may be affected by the rifle range. Check NPWS website for alerts.
Council elections
The Office of Local Government has announced that Council elections Scheduled for September 2020 have been postponed to 4 September 2021. Currently sitting Randwick Councillors will automatically serve another 12 months. Current Mayor Councillor Danny Said will also continue as Mayor until the election. More details.
Council meetings
Council meetings are currently being held at the Prince Henry Centre, 2 Coast Hospital Road, Little Bay to enable a safe 1.5 metre space (and no handshaking) between the Councillors and others in attendance. The meetings are open to the public. Find out more information on the Council Meeting page
Customer Service Centre
Council's Customer Service Centre located at 30 Frances Street, Randwick re-opened on Tuesday 9 June 2020. The Service Centre opens normal operating hours (8.30am - 5pm Mon-Fri) and offers all Council services. Most services can be undertaken on our website without the need to visit. We also encourage people to lodge Development Applications online. You can also call us on 1300 722 542 with any customer service enquiries.
DRLC
Indoor pool, gym and indoor classes resumed operating on Saturday 13 June 2020 subject to restrictions. For further details visit: www.drlc.com.au.
Library services
- Randwick City’s three library branches are open for normal hours at Margaret Martin (Randwick) and Malabar branches, reduced hours at Lionel Bowen. Check the library website for current details.
- If the library is at maximum capacity you may need to wait to access there are screens at the entrance to indicate current occupancy.
- Patrons are required to present either their library card, the barcode on the myLibrary app, or their contact details upon entry.
- You can now access seating, computers, printing/photocoping/scanning and study rooms subject to physical distancing measures.
- All events and programs will continue live online until further notice. Check the library events calendar for details.
- Venue hire will remain suspended until further notice.
National Parks
National Parks are managed by the National Parks & Wildlife Service. This includes the Malabar Headland National Park and Kamay Botany Bay National Park at La Perouse. Check their websites for latest details.
Nursery
The Randwick Council Community Nursery is open. Please check out our stock list online and contact us via email for sales inquiries.
Ocean pools
- Geoff James Pool, Clovelly - open
- Giles Baths, Coogee - open
- Ivor Rowe Rockpool, Coogee - open
- McIver’s Ladies Baths, Coogee - open with reduces hours. Mon-Fri 12-2pm and weekends 11am to 2pm.
- Mahon Pool, Maroubra - open
- Malabar Ocean Pool, Malabar - open
- Ross Jones Memorial Pool, Coogee - open
- Wylies Baths, Coogee - closed due to upgrade works
Swimmers are urged to practice social distancing, good hygiene and to limit the numbers of swimmers to 10 people or less.
Outdoor gyms
All outdoor gyms in Randwick City (Maroubra, Clovelly, Chifley, Kensington and Frenchmans Bay) are open.
Playgrounds
Randwick City's 57 playgrounds are open. Please ensure you wash or sterilise your hands before and after use and not gather in groups of 10 people or more. We urge people to practice caution and limit playground usage if crowding occurs. This includes the Heffron Pedal Park kids bike track.
Precinct meetings
Local Precinct Meetings are suspended until further notice given the risk to attendees. Some Precincts are still meeting during COVID-19 by using online platforms such as Zoom. To find out if your Precinct is meeting online and to register to attend, check the Precincts Meeting page.
Randwick Local Planning Panel (RLPP) meetings
Due to ongoing COVID-19 (Coronavirus) precautions, the Randwick Local Planning Panel (RLPP) meetings will be held by public teleconferencing via Microsoft Teams. Find out more information on the Randwick Local Planning Panel page.
Skateparks
Chifley Skate Park and Maroubra Skate Park are open.
Sports fields
Sports fields are available for training and competition purposes for clubs and organisations that have CovidSafe plans which have been received by Council.
Tennis courts
Some tennis courts in Randwick City are currently operational, but with restricted access to comply with the requirements. Please contact each tennis court operator to check. The free tennis court at Baker Park in Coogee are open.
Waste services
- There is no impact to household waste collection services
- Residential clean-up bookings have been increased. If you are doing some tidying up, please book a free clean-up.
Facilities and community centres / halls
What facilities, community centres and halls are open and closed?
Please note the following staffed venues are now open for bookings. This is part of a Council trial to test the validity of opening the full suite of Council facilities, community centres and halls:
- Prince Henry Centre, Little Bay
- Randwick Community Centre
- Randwick Literary Institute
The following facilities are closed as of midnight Wednesday 25 March 2020:
- Barrett House, Randwick
- Burnie Park Community Centre, Clovelly
- Clovelly Senior Citizens Centre
- Coogee East Ward Senior Citizens Centre
- Kensington Park Community Centre
- Malabar Memorial Hall
- Maroubra Senior Citizens Centre
- Matraville Youth & Cultural Hall
- Totem Hall, South Coogee
Events and activities
What events are cancelled?
The following events have been cancelled as a precaution as part of Council's responsible approach to minimise the spread of the virus amongst the community:
- PermaBee, EcoHeroes Club, School Sustainability incursions and Randwick Sustainability Hub tours - cancelled until further notice.
- Bastille Day - Sunday 12 July 2020
- Beach Breaks Carnival - Sunday 26 July 2020
- Citizenship Ceremony - Thursday 6 August 2020
Council is directly notifying registered participants at Council-run events. We suggest checking with event organisers prior to attending events and activities.
What you need to know about social distancing and hygiene
When it comes to keeping yourself and others safe, the advice from NSW Health is to practice social distancing and good hygiene. When social distancing is combined with good personal hygiene, we can help slow the spread of a pandemic through a community. This will help protect our most vulnerable residents and reduce the impact of the pandemic on our health services. So what does that mean and what do you need to do? Here's some information to help explain.
Hygiene
- Practice good hygiene by washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water isn't available. Hand washing is a huge factor in helping to stop and slow the spread of this virus.
- Try not to touch your face or you will move germs from your hands to your mouth or nose.
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or a flexed elbow.
- Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces each day.
- Don't shake hands, hugging or kissing as a greeting.
Social distancing
To help stop the spread of COVID-19, social distancing is important. But what is it? Social distancing means we reduce the number of close physical and social contacts we have with one another. What do you need to do:
- Avoid large crowds and gatherings (such as busy markets, crowded beaches or events)
- Keep 1.5 metres between yourself and others at all times (such as when waiting for public transport or if you must visit the shops)
- Work at home if you can or try to travel during off-peak periods.
- Buy food online when you can to avoid needing to leave your home.
Information for the multicultural community
For translated information and resources on hygiene, symptoms, social distancing and isolation, please visit the NSW Health website. Translated resources are also available on the Ethnolink website. Information is available in 49 languages.
More information
What if I see businesses or people not complying with social distancing rules?
Crime Stoppers NSW is the nominated reporting agency for the public to provide information to police about individuals, businesses and corporations not complying with current Public Health Orders.
You can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or register your complaint via their website https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
24-hour Coronavirus helpline
If you've got questions about the coronavirus (COVID-19), you can call 1800 020 080 any time of day or night.
Legal help during COVID-19
People continue to need legal help. You may have an ongoing legal issue, or need help with something related to employment, your money, renting or another issue as a result of COVID-19. This site will let you know what services are available to you.