COVID-19 Update - 2 April

Last modified on 02 April 2020

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Waste management - how you can help 

Household clean ups are a popular activity during COVID-19, however, it's putting extra pressure on our waste collection services. We understand second hand stores are closed and that it's hard to sell/giveaway items online right now, so we ask that you store items until they can be re-homed or donated. Remember that leaving items on the kerbside when a council pick up is not scheduled is illegal dumping and fines apply. Our rangers are patrolling problem areas. Please only book a waste collection or mattress collection if it's essential and make sure you follow the directions to put your items out safely. To help us focus on maintaining important waste collection services, we ask that you try to reduce your waste (think about a worm farm or composting!). Importantly, your household bins will continue to be collected throughout COVID-19.  Many thanks for your cooperation!

Free child care

The Prime Minister this afternoon announced child care would be free to provide certainty for parents still in work and to sure up jobs in the child care sector. We'll be in touch with more details about how it will be implemented at our child care centres and vacation care program. Also, view our childcare options for the school holidays. 

Council's Business Support Plan

We’ve added some extra detail about who’s eligible for our Business Support Plan, worth $1.66 million over six months.

A message from Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney about the Business Support Plan

Useful information for business

Webinars 

The ATO is hosting 12 webinar sessions for small business during COVID-19 

Free advice and online workshops  

Business Connect is now offering 25 free online workshops on cash flow, business model and how to set up your business for ecommerce. See what’s available and register online

Development applications and local newspapers 

News Corp announced yesterday that the print editions of their 60 community newspapers, including North Shore Times, would be suspended from 9 April. Real estate, hospitality, events and local business advertising revenue has slowed, so they have decided to focus on online reporting. Fortnightly we would advertise development applications in our local newspaper, however, this will no longer be possible. The development applications will still appear on our website, signage will continue to appear on the site of the proposed development and surrounding properties will continue to be notified by letter.   We'll keep you informed if there's any further changes to how we let you know about development applications. 

Community Groups

Are you a community group providing important services and trying to adapt to this new environment? The NSW Council of Social Service has compiled some useful resources to help you with service continuity. It's recommended by our own community services team.