The world as we know it has changed with the COVID-19 crisis evolving on a daily basis and it presents the District Council of Grant and our community with new and unexpected challenges.

Protecting the health and safety of our community and staff is a priority for Council. On the 16 March Council enacted its Business Continuity Plan (BCP), which provides guidance on how Council can maintain important services during this adverse event. 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.

Our customer service centres at Commercial Street West and the Port MacDonnell Community Complex will remain open. However, to help reduce the potential risk we request that you telephone, email or access the YourSayDCG as your first preference to contact Council and reduce your 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 Gamier Regional Airport Administration Building and the Port MacDonnell Community Complex and Works Teams will also operate from the Port MacDonnell depot.

Some other immediate changes have included the following:

• Suspension of Councils 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 but 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.
• Staff are not permitted to travel for business purposes interstate or intrastate.
• Council are 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 been put in place at the Mount Gambier Principle Office, Commercial Street West, and the Airport and Port MacDonnell Community Complex as a way to reduce some of the possible risks.

The Mount Gambier Regional Airport and the Mount Gambier and District Saleyards are operating as normal, so please remember to practice social distancing protocols when visiting these sites.

This COVID-19 virus is challenging the way we all live and work and for some it can be quite frightening. On behalf of myself, the 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.

As a Council we are committed to providing you with updates from credible sources and will continue to do so on a regular basis. To that end, Council have established a portal on https://yoursaydcg.com.au/covid-19 where we will publish information from the Federal Department of Health, SA Health and the Local Government Association, along with the changes as they develop at a service level for our Council area.

I thank you for your patience and understanding in these uncertain times and please keep yourself and your family safe and well. Finally, I personally thank the staff of the District Council of Grant for their agility and flexibility while they continue to deliver quality services to our community as we try to assist you through these uncertain times.

Mayor Richard Sage