Changes to operations at Colac Otway Shire Council facilities

Published on 21 July 2020

Colac Otway Shire Council has temporarily closed the Colac Customer Service Centre and Bluewater Leisure Centre from close of business Monday July 20 due to the COVID-19 situation in Colac.

COPACC is also temporarily closed to external bookings however public immunisation sessions will continue to take place. Colac Cinemas will also be closed to the public for the next two weeks; a review of cinema operations will take place after that on August 3.

Following consultation with the Colac Secondary College, Council and their OHS Committee, the Corangamite Regional Library Corporation has also determined the Colac library will close until further notice. Outreach services will continue at this point in time.

During the temporary closure of the Colac Customer Service Centre, Council is encouraging residents to access information or submit an enquiry via Council’s website or contact staff by phone or email.

If a resident has an urgent matter which can only be dealt with in person, they can contact Council’s Customer Service Team and arrange an appointment.

Any community member who requires use of the sharps container in the Council office can also contact the Customer Service Team on 5232 9400 to arrange access.

Council Chief Executive Peter Brown urged Colac Otway residents to continue to work together to keep our community healthy and safe.

“We can all play a part in reducing the spread of COVID-19 by practicing good hygiene, maintaining physical distancing, keeping at least 1.5 metres away from others and wearing a mask where that’s not possible.

“If you can work from home I encourage you to do so to reduce traffic and movement within the region.

“Temporary closures of these Council facilities will remain in place until we have a better understanding of the COVID-19 situation within the community.

“We encourage everyone to keep up to date with changes to Council’s operations via the website at www.colacotway.vic.gov.au and the Facebook page.”

Council’s Customer Service Centre and the Great Ocean Road Visitor Information Centre at Apollo Bay remain open, however the community is asked to make contact via phone, email or use online services where possible.

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SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO COUNCIL OPERATIONS:

Customer Service Centres

• Council’s Customer Service Centre at Colac will be temporarily closed to the public from close of business Monday July 20, until further notice.
• Council staff will continue to assist you via the phone, email or via our website and online services: phone 5232 9400, visit www.colacotway.vic.gov.au  or email inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au
• A range of Council payments can be made online, visit https://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/Council-the-shire/Contact-Us/Make-a-Payment
• If residents have urgent matters which can only be dealt with in person, they can contact our Customer Service Team and arrange an appointment at Colac. Customers requiring use of the sharps container should also contact Customer Assist on 5232 9400 to arrange access.

• The Customer Service Centre at Apollo Bay remains open, however the community is encouraged to contact Council via the website, email or phone where possible.

Bluewater Leisure Centre

• Bluewater Leisure Centre will be temporarily closed to the public from close of business Monday July 20 until further notice.
• The temporary closure at Bluewater includes all facilities and services.
• Further information and updates on the temporary closure and COVID-19 situation will be available on Council’s website and Bluewater’s website, or call Bluewater on 5232 9551.

COPACC

• COPACC is currently closed to patrons (with the exception of public immunisation sessions and as required for emergency services) and is not taking external bookings at this time.

   

• Colac Cinemas will close until August 3 with a review of services and operations to take place at that time.

LIBRARY CHANGES

• Corangamite Regional Library Corporation has advised it will temporarily close the Colac library from Monday July 20 – Outreach services will continue at this point in time. Visit website www.crlc.vic.gov.au or contact your local library by phone or email for information.