Singleton mayor Sue Moore is urging residents to follow the NSW Government directives and advice to ensure the community remains safe.
After a number of COVID-19 cases were identified in the Hunter on Thursday 5 August, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock, Muswellbrook, Dungog, Port Stephens and Singleton LGAs were placed in a snap seven-day lockdown until 12.01am on 13 August.
The Upper Hunter is certainly vulnerable, given the amount of people who work in the region but live closer to the latest “hot spots”.
So, Singleton Council staff are taking action to comply with the Public Health Orders (PHO) as well as guarantee the continuation of essential services.
“Our number one priority at all times is the health and safety of our community and our employees,” Cr Moore said.
“While council staff are on the job to provide services to our community, the PHO will have implications for how some of them are delivered.
“Our Water and Sewer, Parks and Roads teams will all continue to be out and about as usual in adherence with public health guidelines.
“Other staff who can work from home will be on deck to take your enquiries, assess development applications and provide assistance.
“Other services are also available online, including payments and transactions, lodgement of development applications and a huge digital library catalogue.
“Our Waste Management Facility is operating, however we ask people avoid coming in with household waste where possible while lockdown conditions are in place unless it is truly essential,” she stated.
“Customers are limited to Singleton LGA ratepayers and commercial customers with cashless transactions only.
“There’ll also be some changes to our operations, including staff cannot assist with unloading and are unable to interact with customers.
“The Burragan Recycling Shop is closed, too.”
Cr Moore said she appreciated everyone’s patience and understanding as they navigate the current challenging circumstances.
“As well as staying at home and supporting each other as much as possible, it’s also important that we continue to monitor for symptoms and be aware of the NSW Government’s position on the importance of vaccination,” she stated.
“NSW Health has advised there will be more information about vaccination and testing locations, and we will provide this information as it becomes available to us.
“These are difficult and uncertain times – and many of us are feeling understandably anxious.
“What’s most vital is that we stay calm, follow the advice from the NSW Government and NSW Health, and be kind to each other.
“Working together, we can overcome these challenging circumstances and, I hope, return to our normal lives soon.”
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