Council responds to latest COVID Direction
Council responds to latest COVID directive
Lockyer Valley Regional Council are preparing for a raft of service changes with the Queensland Government’s Public Health and Social Measures linked to vaccination status direction (the Direction) to swing into effect from Friday 17 December.
In line with the Direction, unvaccinated people will be excluded from certain venues from 17 December 2021, despite Council’s public efforts to reject the mandate applying to council-owned galleries, museums and libraries.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said Council would have preferred to assess our local risks and respond on behalf of the community and, unfortunately, has no alternative but to comply with the Legislation.
“Council had hoped our art gallery, museums and locations owned by Council would not be caught up in the restrictions announced by the State, however under legislation Council has no choice in the matter and is obligated to adhere to the Direction,” Mayor Milligan said.
“Our teams are currently navigating the complexities of the Direction and will continue to promote public safety and community wellbeing while the Directive is in force.”
Recognising the restrictions that would now be imposed at Council venues may cause inconveniences to those who are not double-vaccinated, Mayor Milligan is urging her community to remain cohesive and united.
“We appreciate this is both a topical and personal issue and the last thing we need within our community is for division and poor behaviour including aggression towards staff and businesses who are just doing their jobs,” Mayor Milligan said.
“Despite our dissatisfaction, Council will have to enforce these public safety measures, and as such will not tolerate any form of abuse towards staff who will simply be doing their jobs.”
Mindful of the inconvenience for many, Mayor Milligan is asking residents to be patient and understanding of both Council staff and local businesses during these turbulent times.
“The Chief Health Officer sets the conditions believed to best assist in containing or responding to the spread of COVID-19 and Council is obligated to follow this legislation,” Mayor Milligan said.
“A number of our facilities and services have now been caught up within the Direction and from Friday anyone entering those venues will be required to provide evidence of either double-vaccination or a valid medical exemption.
Despite indoor events being subject to density limits, Lockyer Valley Regional Council’s Customer Service Centres will remain fully operational.
“Access to Council’s Customer Service Centres remain open to the whole community regardless of vaccination status, as do our libraries and pools,” Mayor Milligan said.
“The Laidley Pioneer Village, Gatton and Districts Historical Society, Queensland Transport Museum, Das Neumann Haus, Jessies Cottage and the Lockyer Valley Art Gallery will all be subject to the double-vaccination requirement regardless of who operates them.”
There will be changes to conditions for hiring Council halls and customers are encouraged to review Council’s website to understand any implications the mandate will have on their event prior to finalising bookings.
“The community is reminded that Council will apply a zero-tolerance approach to both non-compliance and abuse towards staff and volunteers,” Mayor Milligan said.
“Our staff are parents, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters, and friends – and like our community are navigating these testing times as best as they know how.
“We are confident the mateship and tenacity of our community will continue to unite our region.”
Information on vaccination centres within the Lockyer Valley can be found on Council’s website and Facebook page, and at West Moreton Health.
For more information on Public Health and Social Measures effective from 17 December, visit Queensland Health.
