Please find important information from Council below relating to COVID-19 (coronavirus).
For the latest NSW Health information on the number of cases in Lane Cove local government area, please visit the NSW Health Website.
The NSW Government encourages everyone to wear a mask where possible. Masks are a helpful addition in the fight against COVID-19, if used correctly.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant recommends wearing a mask:
- If it is hard to maintain 1.5 metres of physical distance from others
- When in high-risk indoor areas such as public transport, supermarkets, shops, places of worship and entertainment venues
- When caring for or serving vulnerable people
- If working in a cafe, restaurant, pub, club or other high-risk indoor area.
Latest Information -
For information on current NSW Government COVID-19 hotspot areas and public health orders, please view the latest news and updates. If you have visited any of the affected locations that are listed, such as Fitness First St Leonards, or have any symptoms, it is important to self isolate and get tested as soon as possible.
Downloading the COVIDSafe app
Lane Cove locals are encouraged to download the COVIDSafe app to help the Australian government's work to slow the spread of COVID-19. Having confidence that they can find and contain outbreaks quickly will mean governments can ease restrictions while still keeping Australians safe.
The new COVIDSafe app is completely voluntary. Downloading the app is something you can do to protect you, your family and friends and save the lives of other Australians. The more Australians connect to the COVIDSafe app, the quicker we can find the virus. Find out more today...
Council Building is open
Council’s Civic Centre's operating hours are between 8:30am – 5:00pm. We ask all visitors to please observe social distancing requirements and keep a 1.5 metre distance from others. A maximum of 10 people will be allowed in the Civic Centre foyer at any one time.
At this stage, we are only able to accept card payments. Unfortunately, JP services will be unavailable until further notice.
As a reminder, Council services continue to be available online, by email service@lanecove.nsw.gov.au or phone 9911 3555 between 8:30am – 5:00pm.
Library Update
Limited seating, please keep your visit to less than 2 hours. The following hours apply:
Lane Cove Library:
Monday & Friday: 9:30am - 5:00pm
Tuesday - Thursday: 9:30am - 7:00pm
Saturday - Sunday: 9:30am - 2:00pm
Greenwich Library:
Monday – Thursday: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:30am – 2:00pm
Please present your Library card or identification when entering Lane Cove Library. Visitors may be asked to briefly wait to ensure we adhere to capacity limits (Main Library <120, Junior Library <30).
Parents/Carers are advised to not send primary school age children to the Library unattended as the Library may already be at capacity.
NSW Health requests Libraries to collect visitor information to enable effective contact tracing if required. This information will only be used for that purpose and will be deleted after 28 days.
Local Studies is by appointment only.
Find out more.
Report breaches to Crime Stoppers
It is an offence not to adhere to the Public Health order. Crime Stoppers NSW is the best and most appropriate way to report any breaches or concerns around people acting contrary to self-isolation or health orders. Crime Stoppers NSW can be contacted on 1800 333 000 or visit the Crime Stoppers NSW website.
Council facilities remaining closed
Based on the latest information from the NSW Government, the following public places remain closed to the public until further notice:
- Greenwich Baths - closed
- Lane Cove Aquatic Centre - open
- Lane Cove Community Nursery - closed
- Synergy Youth Centre - open Tuesday and Fridays. Find out more.
- All Council halls - closed
Public parks, playgrounds and trails are open
Lane Cove's public parks, playgrounds and trails are open. Council reminds residents to maintain social distancing whilst using these facilities and keep 1.5 metres apart from others.
The NSW Government's advice is that users may use outdoor exercise and playground equipment, but should do so with caution, and:
- Wash their hands before and after they use the equipment
- Assume the person who has used the equipment before them has the virus.
Other services and facilities
Garbage collection start times: due to staffing arrangements and to ensure your garbage is collected, garbage collection will start approximately 60-90 minutes earlier in some areas commencing this week, for example 5:00am start instead of 6:00am. Most of these earlier starts will commence on or near major arterial roads. Your understanding of any inconvenience during this time is appreciated.
Sydney Community Services: Council is liaising with local organisation Sydney Community Services to ensure they can continue to provide essential services to people in need in our area and also to ensure any isolated members of the community can still access these services. For more information phone Sydney Community Services on 9427 6425 from Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm.
Please remember to practice social distancing when outdoors.
DA Process
Council's Civic Centre has reopened, which means DA searches in-person are now available. You can continue to also use the DA Search and Enquiry tool on Council's website. If you require assistance, please email service@lanecove.nsw.gov.au.
All development applications are to be lodged electronically via the NSW Planning Portal. Find out more about Online DA Lodgement.
Council's Development Assessment Team is committed to continuity of service during this time and appreciate your co-operation with the above changes.
Extended Construction Hours
New rules introduced by the NSW Government allow construction sites to operate on weekends and public holidays.
The rules are intended to allow workers to abide by social distancing rules while keeping construction projects progressing by spreading building work across more days of the week. The announcement was made on 2 April.
The Environmental Planning and Assessment (COVID-19 Development – Construction Work Days) Order 2020 is now in place and will continue until the COVID-19 pandemic is over, or the advice of NSW Health changes.
Demolition and building work is permitted on a Saturday, Sunday and public holiday provided:
- The development has consent
- Comply with all conditions of consent other than conditions that relate to hours of work or operation on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, and
- For work or operation on Saturday, Sunday or public holiday - must
- Comply with the conditions of the consent that restrict the hours of work or operation on any other days as if the conditions applied to work or operation on a Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday
- Not involve the carrying out of rock breaking, rock hammering, sheet piling, pile driving or similar activities during the hours of work that would not be normally permitted but for this Order.
- Take all appropriate and reasonable measures to minimise noise.
Find out more.
Council is calling residents
Council staff has been calling Lane Cove residents to check-in and offer support and assistance during this difficult time. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us all and the health and safety of Lane Cove residents are Council's priority. During this call, please feel free to let Council know if you need support or assistance in any way and we will do our best to help. Council will also use this call as a chance to confirm your contact details.
In the meantime, if you do require assistance, please call Council on 9911 3555 or email service@lanecove.nsw.gov.au.
Support for residents and businesses
Support for Local Businesses
The new $3,000 recovery grant to help small businesses safely re-launch their operations went live on the Service NSW website on 1 July 2020. View the media release for more information.
Council is supporting local businesses by:
-
Granting rental relief to all commercial Council tenants,
including those with footpath dining.
-
Encouraging other landlords to provide rent relief.
Free Online Program for Local Businesses
Has your business been impacted by Covid-19? Wondering how to plan for what happens next, including sustainable success?
Council is offering Lane Cove businesses a free online training program that is tailored to our local business community. It can help you:
- Minimise disruption to your business during this crisis
- Identify new opportunities and revenue streams
- Set yourself up for a quick recovery once we get to the other side of this crisis
Delivered by Grant Hartley from Brand Local, this short program is designed to provide Lane Cove business owners with simple and effective solutions that can be executed quickly at low to no cost.
Kick-start your journey with the basic fundamentals in as little as half a day or take full advantage of the additional resources and continue at your own pace. You can stop and start at anytime, giving you the flexibility to complete the sessions when it suits you.
Find out more and sign up for the free Lane Cove program today.
In addition to Council's tailored program, the NSW Government has also announced a range of free webinars that you may find useful. Over the next two weeks there are seminars on creative incomes, Google analytics, innovation and managing people to name a few. Find out more on the Business Connect website.
To provide further assistance to businesses, Council has launched www.shoplanecove.com.au. It's free for businesses to list and you can update your delivery information as often as you need so that locals can find out if you're offering pick-up, delivery, online services etc.
Government support for businesses
Government business support packages previosuly announced include:
Government support for individuals
The Federal Government is providing a range of measures to
address the global health crisis related to Coronavirus COVID-19.
On 22 March 2020, the Government announced it will provide a
temporary Coronavirus Supplement of $550 a fortnight to new and existing income
support recipients from 27 April 2020 for six months. People will receive their
usual payment plus $550 each fortnight for the six month period. For more
information and to check eligibility, please visit the Department
of Social Services (DSS) website.
The Treasury has
also outlined its economic response to COVID-19. Please follow the below links
for more information.
Residents may also find the following DSS links useful:
