COVID-19 Response Group Formed
Mount Isa City Council Executive Staff have now formed a COVID-19 response group to ensure the community has access to current information about council services and activities during the COVID-19 virus pandemic.
Mayor Joyce McCulloch - who chairs the Mount Isa Local Disaster Management Group - said the arrangements would help keep the community informed on a regular basis and assist residents and businesses to manage the local impacts of COVID-19 in a rapidly changing environment.
“Council has a solid history of working with our community in times of disaster events in order to keep our residents as safe as possible – and we will do so again in our response to COVID-19,” Mayor Joyce McCulloch said.
“This is an evolving situation and we need to be prepared for the fact that what is in place today may change rapidly over the course of the next day, weeks and months.
“We have already seen restrictions placed on mass gatherings and people returning from overseas and it is likely there will be other impacts on services and the availability of local facilities – particularly as employees become ill, self-isolate or need to care for other family members.
“To help prepare for and manage some of the impacts that are likely to arise from COVID-19, council undertakes regular business continuity planning to ensure our staff are well-placed to respond to a range of situations and can assist our community where possible.
“It is important however that we all prepare and this is why Council encourages residents and local businesses – if they are not already doing so – to plan for disruption.
“This can include checking on those who cannot get out and about easily, such as the elderly, to make sure they are in good health and have sufficient food and medical supplies."
Mayor Joyce said council was taking regular advice from Federal and State health authorities and other government agencies and would respond quickly as circumstances changed.
“At this stage, there is no disruption to core council services such as waste collection, pool and library services and maintaining public parks and recreational areas," she said.
“Public facilities such as the library and Splashez Aquatic Centre currently remain open, but it is possible this may change in coming days and weeks."
If customers are unsure if they can complete transactions online, they are encouraged to call council via phone on 4747 3200, or email council at city@mountisa.qld.gov.au
Mayor Joyce said council would follow the advice of the Australian Government and Queensland Health in regard to its own events.
“In light of these current events Council has postponed Welcoming Babies Day, Morning Melodies for Seniors, and ANZAC Day events have been cancelled for this year,” she said.
Council is committed to supporting Queensland Health as the lead agency responsible for responding to COVID-19 and will ensure our community is kept informed.
Council information regarding COVID-19 can be found at https://www.mountisa.qld.gov.au/community/disaster-management
Anyone with concerns can call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or find up-to-date reliable information on the Queensland Health website at www.health.qld.gov.au/coronavirus