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Coronavirus - Information for the Community

The Latest Information

As per advice from the State Government, the whole of Victoria will move to Stage Four Restrictions from 11.59pm Friday 12 February 2021 until 11.59pm Wednesday 17 February 2021.

For information on Stage Four Restrictions, view 210212-Table-of-Stage-Four-Restrictions.pdf(PDF, 80KB)

Council Services and Operations

Colac Otway Shire Council will close its public-facing facilities in accordance with the State Government’s COVID19 lockdown advice, which is guiding Council’s delivery of services to the community while prioritising the community’s health during the current COVID-19 situation.

Colac Otway Shire Council advises the following Council facilities will be CLOSED in accordance with State Government Stage 4 restrictions from 11.59pm Friday 12 February 2021 until 11.59pm on Wednesday 17 February 2021:

- Colac Otway Shire Customer Service Centres (Colac & Apollo Bay) including library chute;

- Colac & Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centres;

- Bluewater, closed from 7pm tonight (Fri 12/2) (Gym, Pools & Stadium);

- COPACC (including Colac Cinemas); and

- COPACC's Debra Byrne & Dion Hirini Show has been postponed.

FURTHER ADVICE:

Rates Payments

Rates can be paid online via Council’s website or Bpay. No interest will be charged on late payments if you are unable to pay in person due to office closures.

Childhood Immunisation Session

Monday’s Immunisation Session will be held as scheduled between 2.30pm and 4.30pm at COPACC

School Crossings

School crossings will not be staffed

Colac Regional Saleyards

Thursday, February 18’s sale is planned to continue as normal subject to an extension of the current lockdown. If the lockdown is extended past midnight Wednesday, then there may be limits on public attendance.

2050 Colac Otway Shire Community Vision Roadshow

Cressy & Gellibrand community drop-in sessions scheduled for Monday and Tuesday next week have been postponed – further advice and rescheduling to be advised.

While these drop-in sessions are currently postponed, we encourage the Colac Otway community to complete the online survey https://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/Community-Consultations/2050-Community-Vision-Consultations

Waste Drop-Off Facilities

Waste drop-off facilities will still run as scheduled at Beech Forest and Lavers Hill (Saturday) and Carlisle River and Gellibrand (Sunday). The community is reminded it is mandatory to wear a mask and social distancing must be maintained when attending drop-off facility locations. Eftpos operates at all waste drop-off locations.

For locations, opening hours and further details visit: https://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/My-property/Rubbish-recycling/Rubbish-collection-services/Drop-off-facilities#section-1

Stay safe Colac Otway - we're all in this together.

For the latest information on COVID and current restrictions which apply to Colac Otway Shire, please visit the Department of Health and Human Services website

From 11 October all Victorians must wear a fitted face mask when they leave home, no matter where they live. Read more information on the DHHS website: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/face-masks-vic-covid-19

Details of the Third Step restrictions, as advised by the State Government, may be found here: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/third-step-restrictions-regional-victoria-covid-19

Current State Wide Restrictions

Restrictions and the COVID situation continues to rapidly change, for the most up-to-date information visit the Department of Health and Human Serivices website.

Council Services and Operations

Colac Otway Shire Council is currently seeking clarification from the State Government on yesterday's announcements. We will provide updates on how lifting restrictions impact our community as soon as we have more details. For information on restrictions, please consult the DHHS website https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus or call DHHS on 1300 650 172.

A Message to the Colac Otway Community

We are asking people to self-isolate if they can, that’s how we as a community will reduce the spread and keep each other safe.

Please wear a face mask if you have to leave home and can’t maintain a 1.5 metre physical distance, and wash your hands. From October 11 all Victorians must wear a fitted face mask when they leave home, no matter where they live.

FAQs and Information Sheets

If you have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID 19, please read this fact sheet(PDF, 523KB).
If you have tested positive to COVID 19, please read this information sheet(PDF, 148KB).
Frequently Asked Questions on COVID 19 and cases in Colac, please read this information sheet(PDF, 428KB). This information sheet has also been translated into Chinese(PDF, 465KB), Korean(PDF, 273KB) and Arabic(PDF, 461KB). How to stay healthy while at home translations: Chinese(PDF, 235KB), Malay(PDF, 196KB), and Filipino(PDF, 196KB).

Hardship and Assistance

Victorian workers can apply for a $450 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Isolation Payment through the State Government that provides financial support while they self-isolate to wait for the results of a coronavirus (COVID-19) test.

Apply now for the $450 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Isolation Payment via the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions website.
Read the FAQs and guidelines to find out if you are eligible for this payment and how to apply.
For support to apply for the payment, you can call 1800 675 398 and select option 8.

The DHHS and Red Cross Australia has put together some information sheets for people who are experiencing extreme financial hardship due to the pandemic.

Coronavirus-COVID-19-Extreme-Hardship-Support-Program-factsheet-for-community-service-providers.pdf(PDF, 200KB)

Extreme-Hardship-Support-Program-FAQ.pdf(PDF, 381KB)

Red-Cross-Extreme-Hardship-Support-Program-Flyer.pdf(PDF, 46KB)

Council has reviewed its normal procedures regarding rates collection. For more information on support available, please visit Council's Rates page on this website.

The State Government has provided Colac Otway Shire Council with information regarding the affect of COVID19 on valuations for rating purposes for the 2020-21 financial year. Please download this fact sheet for more information: COVID19-valuation-objections-Facts-Sheet.pdf(PDF, 218KB)

Information from Colac Area Health

In light of the current COVID pandemic Colac Area Health are continuing to provide Family Services support services via phone, video and face to face if needed.

Support Services include:

Supporting Families who are seeking support with children including wellbeing and behaviour, parenting, family violence, financial difficulties, mental health, specialist referral support, drug and alcohol support, and disability support where not eligible for NDIS and or any other vulnerable areas.

Colac Area Health are able to provide face to face appointments and home visits should they be deemed the utmost priority. This will be at the discretion of our Management in conjunction with the families.

The central referral process to the Colac Area Health Family Services Program is through the Colac Access Point (Orange Door) and the contact number is: 03 5232 5500.