As a result of recent announcements by the NSW Government regarding easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Narrabri Shire playgrounds, outdoor gym equipment, and skate parks will be reopened this Friday, May 15.
“Council would like to remind the community that the reopening of these community facilities is aligned with NSW Government restrictions and it is up to individuals to ensure they are abiding by the current restrictions,” a spokesperson said.
“All other Council services will maintain current operational levels for the time being.”
General manager, Stewart Todd said the Council’s pandemic response team had been meeting frequently to plan how best to re-establish face to face service delivery.
“Emerging from COVID-19 restrictions is not as simple as reopening the doors to facilities.
“Council will be taking a cautious and considered approach to reopening services that require face to face contact.
“Council, along with the entire Shire, has done a wonderful job in staying COVID free, to ensure Council’s service provision continues we will be cautiously reintroducing close face to face services.
“What this approach means is that a number of Council facilities will not reopen to the public immediately, even if permissible under eased restrictions.
“Council is balancing a number of considerations which include the safety and welfare of our staff and doing what we can to ensure services can continue uninterrupted by COVID-19.
“At this stage, no one wants to see a COVID outbreak that forces the closure of one or many council services.
“This is why we are electing to take a cautious approach during this period of lifting restrictions.
“We want to ensure we continue to service the community,” the general manager said.
Mr Todd said the council will advise the community of all updates relating to services, those resuming and in what capacity these services may look like as restrictions are lifted.
At this stage, there are no other changes to service provisions, with The Crossing Theatre maintaining café operations to takeaway only and outdoor pools being unaffected due to their being scheduled for closure for the winter season.
A decision from the NSW Government is yet to be made regarding indoor pool facilities.
“Council is adopting a precautionary approach to reestablishing face to face service delivery, for the safety of both staff and the community,” Mr Todd emphasised.
“Although the Administration Building, libraries and the Visitor Information Centre are closed to the public, staff have been working extremely hard behind closed doors to maintain services.
“Council has also brought forward a number of capital works projects to complete during the forced closure of some facilities.
“The Narrabri Aquatic Centre has been conducting maintenance at the facility and is in the process of undertaking maintenance of the indoor pool which will involve replacing tiles, while The Crossing Theatre is commencing its cinema refurbishment with improvements to be made to accessibility to the facility for disabled patrons, and the replacement of cinema carpet and seating.
“Council saw an opportunity during this pandemic to undertake these maintenance and refurbishment projects now to lessen the disruption of the services to the community.
“In normal circumstances, the cinema and pool patrons would have been inconvenienced by closures in order for these tasks to be completed.”
What’s open, what’s not
Narrabri Shire Council Service Provisions as at Friday, May 15:
Playgrounds – OPEN (relevant social distancing measures apply).
Skate Parks – OPEN (relevant social distancing measures apply).
Outdoor Exercise Equipment – OPEN (relevant social distancing measures apply).
Parks and open spaces – OPEN (relevant social distancing measures apply).
Narrabri Shire Council Administration Building – CLOSED TO PUBLIC. Please call 02 6799 6866 or email [email protected] during normal business hours.
Narrabri Region Visitor Information Centre – CLOSED TO PUBLIC. Please call 02 6799 6761 or email [email protected] during normal business hours.
The Crossing Theatre – OPEN with the following restrictions:
• The Crossing Theatre Café: serving takeaway coffee and meals only.
• The Crossing Theatre Cinemas: CLOSED
Narrabri Shire Libraries – CLOSED TO PUBLIC. Each branch is available by phone during their normal business hours:
Narrabri Library – 02 6792 3336
Wee Waa Library – 02 6795 3064
Boggabri Library – 02 6743 4281
Narrabri Aquatic Centre – CLOSED
Boggabri Pool – CLOSED
Wee Waa Pool – CLOSED
Waste facilities/transfer stations – OPEN. Operating according to usual business hours (relevant social distancing measures apply).
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