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Coronavirus: Update on Council's Services
In recent weeks, the Coronavirus health crisis has escalated. This pandemic is impacting on nearly every aspect of our lives so I want to give you an update on how we are responding.
As a Council, we have closed or suspended non-essential Council events, programs and services in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. We have closed our parks, playgrounds, outdoor exercise equipment, sports grounds and public toilets.
The current legislation and restrictions still allow for residents to transit and walk through our parks. However, Council is still working to limit the possibility of public gatherings occurring in our public spaces, parks and reserves.
Council's face-to-face Customer Service function has been suspended, however, I'd like to emphasise that residents can continue to contact Council by telephone, online or via our website. Residents can contact Council via telephone on 02 8757 9000; via email at council@cumberland.nsw.gov.au or provide feedback online at www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Public libraries, swimming pools, and community centres have also closed.
Essential services continuing are:
- Waste collection
- City sweeping
- Customer Service (by telephone, email or online).
- Meals on Wheels
- Feeding animals stationed at Central Gardens and Auburn Botanical Gardens
- Public health officers for any complaints; and
- Safety maintenance for roads, footpaths and parks.
During these times of reduced service levels, Council will continue to accept development applications via email and respond to online requests for planning certificates. Arrangements are also being made for the Cumberland Local Planning Panel to meet through teleconferencing.
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Council Welcomes Childcare Package for Councils
Cumberland City Council has welcomed the
State Government's relief package for council-run childcare centres.
The Council's 17 education and child care centres will continue to operate in Western Sydney, thanks to this much-needed financial assistance.
Prior to this development, Council was facing a $500,000 loss each month and had announced the closure of child care services.
After lobbying the NSW and Federal governments, with the assistance of parents and our local community, this new measure has resulted in Council being able continue operating
child care centres across Cumberland City.
We hope that families in our area will be pleased with this outcome, because we certainly are. This result is a major win for working class families across NSW.
Council is contacting families using these services to make them aware of Council's updated decision.
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Support For Small Business Owners
Council is waiving all outdoor dining licensing fees for the rest of this calendar year, leaving any businesses who have paid up until the rest of this financial year, in credit for future years.
Council will also ensure that any of its lessees are able to approach us to discuss rent deferral options, to provide them with some certainty over their businesses and their lease arrangements with Council.
For small businesses in our local community, Council is currently offering a number of programs including the following:
- Supporting Shop Local initiatives.
- Council's Scheduled Business Workshop and one on-one Business Advisory Services will continue through webinar and video/phone; and
- Crisis Management Webinar is being organised as a collaboration between Cumberland Business Chambers and Council.
Any bookings that have been cancelled due to Coronavirus, will be refunded to groups and those who have hired Council sporting facilities or sports grounds for the winter season. Bookings made for any other council venues or facilities that will not go ahead will also be refunded.
Council also intends to write to relevant State and Federal Ministers, seeking financial support for small businesses in Cumberland City.
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We know the Federal Government is experiencing a massive demand from job seekers with some economists predicting the unemployment rate could go as high as 20 percent. These job losses have all kinds of implications for people paying their rent, their mortgage, paying their bills and putting food on the table.
Our Council has 76,000 business and residential ratepayers.
For ratepayers who have previously done the right thing and paid their rates on time, Council will be waiving late fees or interest charges during the pandemic. To discuss further option for support, please contact our Customer Service team by:
Thank you for being patient with us during these challenging times. Please listen to the advice of health authorities; practice good hygiene, don't leave home unless you have to and keep a distance of 1.5 metres or more from people where possible. If you are over the age of 70, please stay inside. Call Council's Seniors and Disability Team on 02 8757 9041 if you know someone who needs help and for more information. For the latest Council updates on Coronavirus, go to:
www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/covid19.
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| Deputy Mayor Eddy Sarkis with a Councillor worker and Mayor Steve Christou _ |
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New bus seats for Greystanes High School
Mayor Steve Christou recently visited Greystanes High School with Deputy Mayor Eddy Sarkis, to inspect new bus seats that Council has installed in front of the school. It follows recent from feedback from concerned p
arents about the state of the seats.
"It's the little, but basic things that are very important in looking after our local community," said Mayor Steve Christou. Residents can contact me directly, or Council by telephone or email to raise any issues you would like help with. We will do everything we can to assist you."
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Council provides Emergency Relief Packs
Cumberland City Council, in partnership with AusRelief, are now delivering Emergency Relief packs to Seniors and vulnerable communities who are self-isolating without support.
The initiative follows from a number of extended services being provided for Seniors, as result of the impacts of COVID-19.
Cumberland City Seniors and vulnerable communities who qualify also receive wellness check phone calls and are part of a shopping assistance scheme, to assist while social distancing measures are in place
Council is also referring persons who may not qualify to a list of organisations to assist based on the individual's circumstances.
If you know someone living in Cumberland City who has no support network and is over the age of 65, please call us on 8757 9041.
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Cumberland City Children Send Notes to Seniors
Children from Council's Children and Education Centres are writing notes of hope and positivity for Seniors in our community to combat the loneliness of isolation.
The messages of 'togetherness when apart' and 'staying safe' have been collated in a colourful compilation for Social Inclusion teams to hand out when checking in with Seniors.
If you know someone who is struggling in isolation, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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Cumberland City Celebrates Youth Week 2020
Meet Paskal. She is 1 of 7 Cumberland City youth representatives for Youth Week 2020. She epitomises resilience and community spirit through her story as a young resident in Cumberland City.
"I have always been the sort of person who has a goal even though I had a language barrier. In 2019 I enrolled in a community service course and graduated successfully. Since then, I've networked and gained many more opportunities. The experience I had with the people who I worked with made every single day perfect. We need to stay dedicated to what we want to accomplish. I believe that success in life does not happen by accident".
See more Cumberland City short stories when you follow us on Instagram.
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Helpful Resources During COVID-19
The current climate has introduced a range of health, social, economic and mental health pressures which our community are facing. Remember to be kind to one another and put forward a helping hand (or virtual one) where you can. Here's a list of handy resources to have in your bookmarks tab:
- Community Support: For a list of Council services, emergency help, food banks and translation services, visit the Council website.
- Cumberland City Local Business Support: Visit our website to update changes to how your business trades and a list of businesses now doing delivery and online orders.
- Coronavirus Community Languages: Visit the SBS website for explainations and information in 63 languages.
- Coronavirus App: Download the App for your smartphone for the latest updates straight from government and public health authorities. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
- WhatsApp Updates: Receive daily updates and changes from the Federal government's WhatsApp.
- NSW Health: For the latest public health orders, health advice and translated health information, visit the NSW Health website.
- Mental Health: Call Lifeline on 13 11 14
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Join our Virtual Storytime
Join our Library team for a virtual Storytime and give yourself a well deserved break.
When:
Stay up to date on the next Storytime on our Libraries Facebook page.
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From marketing and survival tips to crisis management, Council's Business webinars are here to support local business.
For list of free webinars, visit the Council
website.
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Bring out your inner Artist
When: Wednesday 15 April 2020
Write a song, film it and send it to us for a Cumberland City Youth anthem. Register for this free workshop on our
website.
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Contact your Councillors
Cumberland City Council has 14 Councillors representing the five Wards of Granville, Greystanes, South Granville, Regents Park and Wentworthville.
The primary role of a Councillor is to represent the people who live in their Ward.
They are your local representative to Council.
To find out who are the Councillors for your ward and their contact details please click here.
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