Changes to Council services in response to coronavirus

24 Sep 2020 1:30 PM -

This page is updated as circumstances change. Please check back in.

Administration Centres

Our Administration Offices in Merriwa, Murrurundi and Scone are open the normal hours 8.30am to 4.30pm, Mondays to Fridays. As well, staff will still be available to assist you by phone on 6540 1100 or email council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au, during normal business hours.

There are customer limits at each centre:

• Scone Administration office – 3 people
• Merriwa Administration Office – 2 people
• Murrurundi Administration Office – 2 people

Customers with appointments and external contractors will be screened prior to entering buildings.

While COVID-19 restrictions are in place, Customers are encouraged to use cards / EFTPOS but cash is accepted. Council bill payments can be made as per the details on your notices. Credit card payments can be made over the phone or cheque payments by mail.

If you need a JP you can search for a JP local to your area here 

Animal Shelter

Scone Animal Shelter is open with social distancing arrangements enforced. You can still make an appointment to view and adopt animals from the shelter by calling 6540 1100.

Caravan Parks and Campgrounds

Childcare Services - Early Learning Centre, Family Day Care and SOOSH

All services are operational and providing care to the community, we ask that all families ensure that all children who are unwell or presenting with flu like symptoms remain home and seek GP advice.

ELC and SOOSH have implemented a range of infection control measures including taking the temperatures of visitors before they enter our facilities.

Family Day Care educators continue to provide care out of the educators homes. The coordination unit continues to provide monitoring and support across these services. The Family Day Care office continues to remain operational, please contact 6540 1151 should you require assistance.

The children’s service office is available in person by appointment, and by phone at 65401 151.

Gummun Place Aged Care Hostel

Council is encouraging all families and friends to keep up contact with its residents through phone calls and online technologies, as well as through the post. Thanks to our dedicated staff at the hostel for continuing to act in the best interests of our residents.

Libraries

Aberdeen, Cassilis, Merriwa, Murrurundi and Scone Libraries are open and have resumed regular hours. 

• Aberdeen: Visitor Limit: 4
• Cassilis: Visitor limit: 3
• Merriwa: Visitor limit: 4
• Murrurundi: Visitor limit: 4
• Scone: Visitor limit: 6

Please note:

• All visitors must provide their contact details on arrival (name, mobile number and/or email address).
• Visits are limited to 20 minutes. Longer periods are possible by appointment only.
• There are limited terminals available for customer use and must be booked in advance.
• Electronic games are not available for use in libraries. 
• No gatherings or groups are permitted (e.g library reading groups).

Library members are encouraged try these free online services:

• Digital collections of ebooks, eMagazines and eAudio books. 
• Home Delivery Services
• Click and Collect Services

Planning and Assessments

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment have produced the below linked Frequently Asked Questions regarding Planning and Assessment for Councils during COVID-19.

Planning and Assessment FAQs

Public Toilets

All public toilets in the Upper Hunter Shire are open.

Recreational and sporting facilities

Our playgrounds, barbecues and skate parks are open, use with caution. Any gatherings must be in accordance with the current health order and social distancing must be observed.

All Sporting fields are open subject to relevant restrictions to each sport. All bookings will require updated risk assessment and Covid 19 Safety Plan.

It is essential that community sports organisations have a COVID-19 safety plan in place, and are fully compliant with this plan.
NSW Health | Community Sporting and Full Training Activities

Public Swimming Pools

Scone and Merriwa are each limited to 72 visitors at a time, and Murrurundi 36 visitors.

Group bookings are limited to 20 people.

Social distancing means a 1.5 metre separation and one person per 4m² of pool space.

Please shower and put your bathers on at home and come dressed to swim, as change rooms should not be used.

Scone Golf Course is open under restricted rules:

1. When using ticketing machine please wear a glove or some form of protection
2. Maximum 2 per group
3. Social distancing of at least 1.5 metres at all times
   
4. No gatherings before, during or after play
5. 10 minute intervals between tee times
6. No sharing of items/equipment
7. No use of ball washers, on-course bubblers and taps

Scone Saleyards

Remain open with restrictions. See Scone Regional Livestock Selling Centre Guidelines for Coronavirus

Waste Management Facilities

Our waste management facilities in Aberdeen, Cassilis, Merriwa, Murrurundi and Scone are open to residents of the Upper Hunter Shire.

Visitor Information Centres (VICs)

Our VIC’s in Merriwa, Murrurundi and Scone are now open from 10:00am to 2:00pm, 7 days a week. 

Please note: 

• No more than 4 people are allowed inside the VIC at any one time (this includes staff). 
• All visitors must provide their contact details on arrival (name, mobile number and/or email address).

Youth Centres

Our Youth Centres are open.

Our Youth Workers have been hard at work creating new activities that will appear alongside the old favourites, and we continue to be here if you need the following support:

• For getting a job, writing a resume and interview skills
• Coping with school - exams, bullying and other stressful situations
• Advice and referral to services, including mental health - if you are feeling stressed or under pressure we can put you in touch with people who can help
• When you need someone to listen, one to one support and life skills groups

Staff at our centres will be waiting to welcome all of their existing members back and we invite any new members that would like to join them, to come along to the sessions relevant to your age, detailed here.

Call the below numbers
Scone Youth Centre – 0417 287 540
Merriwa Youth Centre – 0428 971 208
Murrurundi Youth Centre – 0438 437 082
Counselling – 0439 090 891 or 

Email youthservices@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au

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Merriwa Youth Centre
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