Virus forces tip closure

Wyndham City CEO Kelly Grigsby, mayor Cr Josh Gilligan and incident project officer Peter McKinnon. Photo by Luke Hemer. 206474_03

By Alesha Capone

Wyndham council is continuing to change the way it delivers services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The council has been quick to respond to the coronavirus crisis with a financial rescue package and the introduction of measures to help keep the community safe.

As the number of cases in Wyndham reached 28 when Star Weekly went to press, the council closed the Wests Road tip to the public, transitioned maternal and child health services to telephone consultations and developed a new platform to help keep residents connected.

The council said the transfer station at the municipal tip in Werribee would be closed to the public for the foreseeable future to limit the spread and impacts of coronavirus, however it will remain open to commercial users.

The expiry date of tip vouchers will be extended for the period that the transfer station is closed and residents with valid vouchers will be able to exchange them for an additional hard waste collection from their homes.

The council said it was “very aware of the possibility that illegal dumping may increase” as a result of the transfer station being closed to the public.

“We will continue business as usual in monitoring, investigating and prosecuting any illegal dumping across our municipality,” a notice to residents stated.

The council has also announced an Economic Strengthening and Community Development program, which will include relief for fees such as dog registrations.

While the council’s animal rangers are continuing to work, they have temporarily suspended cat trapping, and have requested that residents do not privately trap felines.

Mayor Cr Josh Gilligan said the council has also developed a new website to help keep residents connected.

“There are many ways we can still connect and share online as a community, including through council’s new website, Wyndham Together,” Cr Gilligan said.

“Wyndham Together will feature videos, articles, classes, and tips on what we can do to keep socially connected, while keeping apart physically.

“This site is not just about council-related material. We are keen to involve the entire community in our new platform, sharing uplifting videos and online events from our business community or local interest groups.

“We will add new content daily, as we bring together classes, videos, and articles from across the community.”

Details: www.wyndhamtogether.com.au