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.

We are continuing to provide essential Council services but there will be impacts to some events and activities.

For specific health-related advice about coronavirus visit NSW Health and Australian Government - Department of Health.

What is Council doing to help?

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?

Order a postcard (we'll post it to you for free)
Download printable version PDF, 27.77 KB

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.

Businesses

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.

Have any Council staff been diagnosed with COVID-19?

Council was advised on 3 April 2020 that two of our employees at the Council-run Des Renford Leisure Centre in Maroubra tested positive for COVID-19.

We are working with the two employees to support them during this difficult time and our thoughts are with them for a swift recovery. The two employees have contracted the virus from a diagnosed close contact outside of Council operations.

NSW Health has confirmed the period of infection for the two employees occurred after the centre was closed down. This means there is no risk of infection to users or members of DRLC and no need for members of the public who may have visited the centre prior to its closure to be tested.

DRLC has been closed to the public since midday 23 March 2020 and the centre’s swim school and fitness classes were suspended by Council as a precaution on 18 March 2020.

Council is working closely with NSW Health and we are contacting all staff members of DRLC that have worked with the two confirmed cases to determine if they had close contact with the diagnosed employees. Those staff who are identified as close contacts will be registered with NSW Health and required to self-isolate for 14 days from their date of last contact.

As a precaution, we are conducting a special deep clean of the facility this weekend.

Council and DRLC management are working throughout the weekend to reach out to and support all employees of DRLC during this challenging time.

How is coronavirus affecting Council operations?

Basketball courts

All basketball courts in Randwick City are closed as of 28 March 2020 until further notice.

Beaches

All Randwick City City Beaches are closed until further notice as of Saturday 28 March 2020. This includes Coogee Beach, Maroubra Beach, Clovelly Beach, Gordon's Bay, Little Bay Beach, Malabar Beach and the beaches at La Perouse (Congwong, Little Congwong, Frenchman's and Yarra Bay Beach).

For the latest beach status please refer to our Lifeguard Surf Report page.

Council elections

The Office of Local Government has announced that Council elections Scheduled for September 2020 have been postponed to 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 (these are meetings attended by the Mayor and Councillors) are still proceeding. Future Council Meetings are likely to be held via video conferencing. Council is currently exploring options.

Customer Service Centre

Council's customer service centre located at 30 Frances Street, Randwick, will be closed from Wednesday 1 April 2020. However, we are still here to help online or through our phone on 1300 722 542 during office hours (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm, excluding public holidays).

DRLC

The Des Renford Leisure Centre (DRLC) facility (indoor and outdoor pools included) is closed until further noticed from 12pm, Monday 23 March 2020.

Library services

Randwick City's three branch libraries are closed as of Thursday 19 March 2020.
Library events, programs and activities are cancelled. This includes children’s storytime sessions, talks, classes, workshops and book clubs
If you have paid a fee to attend, an event, program or activity, Council staff will be in contact with you to arrange a refund.
The Toy and Game Library is closed at all branches. Memberships will be extended for the temporary closure period.
Library venue bookings by external parties have been suspended. Hirers are being notified directly.

Nursery

The Randwick Council Community Nursery will close from Wednesday 1 April.

Ocean pools

All ocean pools in Randwick City are closed as of 28 March 2020 until further notice. The ocean pools closed are:

Geoff James Pool, Clovelly
Giles Baths, Coogee
Ivor Rowe Rockpool, Coogee
McIver’s Ladies Baths, Coogee
Mahon Pool, Maroubra
Malabar Ocean Pool, Malabar
Ross Jones Memorial Pool, Coogee
Wylies Baths, Coogee

Outdoor gyms

All outdoor gyms in Randwick City (Maroubra, Clovelly, Chifley, Kensington and Frenchmans Bay) are closed as of 28 March 2020 until further notice.

Playgrounds

All playgrounds in Randwick City are closed as of 28 March 2020 until further notice. This includes the Heffron Pedal Park kids bike track.

Precinct meetings

Local Precinct Meetings are suspended until further notice given the risk to attendees. Council is exploring video conferencing facilities for virtual meetings.

Randwick Local Planning Panel (RLPP) meetings

Due to ongoing COVID-19 (Coronavirus) precautions, the Randwick Local Planning Panel (RLPP) meeting on Thursday 9 April 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 closed as of 28 March 2020 until further notice.

Tennis courts

Some tennis courts in Randwick City are currently operational, but with restricted access to comply with the requirement to limit bookings to two people only or for one-on-one coaching. Facilities open include the Heffron Park Tennis Centre, Snape Park Tennis Centre, Latham Park Tennis Centre and Leete Park Tennis Courts. The Eastern Suburbs Tennis Centre at Coogee has closed to the public.

The free tennis court at Baker Park is currently closed.

Waste services

There is no impact to waste collection services (except On Call bookings).
As of Wednesday 15 April 2020 - On call clean-up bookings will be limited to 50 customers per day. We apologise for any delays that you may experience.
The Randwick Recycling Centre will close Saturdays, but remain open on weekdays.

Facilities and community centres / halls

What facilities, community centres and halls are closed?

The following facilities are closed as of midnight on Wednesday 25 March 2020:

Barrett House, Randwick
Burnie Park Hall, Clovelly
Clovelly Senior Citizens Hall
Coogee East Ward Senior Citizens Hall
Kensington Park Community Centre
La Perouse Museum
Lexington Place Hub, Maroubra
Malabar Memorial Hall
Maroubra Senior Citizens Hall
Matraville Youth & Cultural Hall
Prince Henry Centre, Little Bay
Randwick Community Centre
Randwick Literary Institute
Randwick Town 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:

Anzac Day services (including Coogee Dawn Service) - 25 April 2020
April school holiday Marine & Coastal Discovery Program - 17 to 21 April 2020
Volunteer bushcare events - until further notice
Exhibition opening 'Happy Valley: La Perouse in the depression' and 'Beach Couture: A Haute Mess' - 26 March 2020 (note exhibitions are still open to the public)
Recycling Centre tours - March and April 2020
Cloth nappy workshops- March and April 2020
The Spot Festival - Sunday 15 March 2020
Protest Flotilla - Sunday 15 March 2020
Dean Kelly - Gudo the Ocean Gives Us Life - Friday 27 March 2020
Deidre Martin - Weaving at La Perouse Museum - Saturday 25 April 2020
Dean Kelly / Kadoo Tours in May (all three) - Biennale Program
Ray Timbery - Bommerangs on the Headland - Sunday 17 May 2020
Free Mulch Campaign - Saturday 6 June 2020 is currently on hold
Workshop for Supervising Drivers - Tuesday 24 March 2020
Citizenship Ceremony - Thursday 2 April & 7 May 2020
Introduction to Solar and Batteries Information session will now be conducted as an online webinar - Thursday 26 March
PermaBee, EcoHeroes Club, School Sustainability incursions and Randwick Sustainability Hub tours - cancelled until further notice.
Chemical Clean Out at Clovelly car park - Saturday 23 May
Koojay Corroboree - Friday 29 May 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.