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Council to begin re-opening facilities from this Saturday

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Published
12th May 2020

Fraser Coast Regional Council will begin progressively re-opening facilities such as pools, playgrounds, libraries and skate parks over the next week in line with the Australian and Queensland Governments’ road maps to ease coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.

Mayor George Seymour welcomed the National Cabinet’s “three-step plan for a COVID safe economy by July” and the Queensland Government’s announcement of an easing of restrictions from this weekend.

“It’s great news that the Fraser Coast is currently COVID-19 free and that Australia has been able to flatten the COVID-19 curve significantly,” he said.

“Council will start re-opening facilities from this weekend and over the coming weeks in line with the three stages outlined in the Queensland Government’s road map.

“We remind everyone that government guidelines require gatherings to be limited to up to 10 people from 15 May before rising to 20 people from 12 June and 100 people from 10 July.

“As restrictions start to ease, it’s important we all continue to practice good hygiene, abide by physical distancing guidelines and follow the advice of health authorities to keep ourselves and others safe.”

From Saturday 16 May 2020:

  • Fraser Coast playgrounds and skate parks will progressively re-open, public barbecues and bubblers will be switched on, and outdoor gym equipment will be available for public use.

From Monday 18 May:

  • Burrum Heads, Howard and Tiaro libraries will re-open for borrowing only with numbers limited as per government guidelines. The Hervey Bay and Maryborough Libraries will remain closed but will soon start a ‘Click and Collect’ service;
  • Hervey Bay and Maryborough Aquatic Centres will re-open for lap swimming and exercise only. Recreational swimming will not be permitted and the children’s play area will remain closed;
  • Council’s Customer Service Centres and the Development Enquiries Counter will re-open;
  • Maryborough Animal Pound and Fraser Coast Adoption Centre will return to standard operation hours;
  • The Howard, Burrum Heads and Yengarie waste transfer stations will re-open and return to standard operating hours;
  • The Halcro Street Community Centre will re-open for one on one appointments;
  • The Maryborough Showgrounds and Equestrian Park will be open for casual horse riding and group bookings of less than 10 people during the day;
  • The Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct will be available for sporting groups to use in line with government directives limiting gatherings to up to 10 people. The fever clinic will cease operations at the Sports Precinct from Friday 15 May;
  • The Orchid House will re-open and local community halls will be available for community groups to use in line with government directives limiting gatherings to up to 10 people.

From Monday 25 May 2020:

  • The Nikenbah Reuse and Recycle Market Centre (tip shop) will re-open with social distancing measures in place.

From Monday 1 June 2020

  • The Tinana and Granville Landfills will re-open following the completion of maintenance.

From Saturday 13 June 2020:

  • The Story Bank, Bond Store and Gatakers Artspace will re-open;
  • Hervey Bay and Maryborough libraries will re-open with limited numbers in line with government guidelines;
  • Council-owned caravan and RV parks will re-open but bookings will be limited to visitors within a 250km radius.

From Monday 15 June 2020:

  • The Maryborough Reuse and Recycle Market Centre (tip shop) will re-open with social distancing measures in place.

From Saturday 11 July 2020:

  • The Community Nursery will re-open, subject to further clarification from the Queensland Government;
  • Brolga Theatre will re-open in a limited capacity in line with government guidelines. This re-opening date will be subject to review in coming weeks.
     

WetSide will remain closed as per its usual seasonal closure at this time of year while the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery and Maryborough Customs House will also remain closed for maintenance works.

Council is seeking further clarification from the Queensland Government around the resumption of markets on Council-controlled land.

Anyone seeking more information and the latest advice about the coronavirus is encouraged to visit www.australia.gov.au and www.covid19.qld.gov.au/