COVID-19 Print

 
 
“The Shire of East Pilbara’s priority is to protect the people of our community, particularly those who are more vulnerable and this means we will be closing or modifying several facilities and services across the region,” said Shire President Lynne Craigie OAM.

Please be advised of the following closures and cancellations at Shire of East Pilbara facilities and services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic:

Recreation Services

• Newman Recreation Centre – OPEN 18 May limited services 
• Newman Aquatic Centre – CLOSED for Winter 
• Marble Bar Gym – CLOSED until further notice 
• Nullagine Gym – CLOSED until further notice 
• Marble Bar Pool – CLOSED for Winter 

Please contact the Newman Recreation Centre on 08 9177 8075 if you have any questions

Library Services

• Newman Library – OPEN 18th May reduced hours
• Marble Bar Library – OPEN
• Nullagine Library – CLOSED until further notice 

  Library staff are working on online access and programs and the Shire will provide updates on this as they progress.
 
Youth Services

• Newman Youth Centre - OPEN 18th May 
• Marble Bar Rec Shed- OPEN 19th May 
• Nullagine Youth Activities - CLOSED

 
General Shire Buildings and Facilities

• Newman House – no longer open to the public, please contact service providers directly for details on accessing services
• Facility bookings are only permitted where the requirements meet government guidelines
• Rubbish collection changes: In Marble Bar and Nullagine, the twice weekly household rubbish collection service has been reduced to once weekly only, on a Tuesday.
• All public BBQs and drinking fountains in Newman, Marble Bar and Nullagine have been 'closed'
• All play grounds, skate parks and outdoor gyms are closed in Newman, Marble Bar and Nullagin

Events
All Shire events until the 31st May 2020 have been cancelled. This includes the following:

•          Twilight movie series
•          Easter Pool Party, Newman
•          Easter Pool Party, Marble Bar
•          Easter Egg Hunt, Nullagine
•          ANZAC Day Newman, Marble Bar and Nullagine
•          Newman Triathlon
•          Mother’s Day Classic
•          Reconciliation Week Ball and events
•          WA Day Weekend Celebrations
•          NAIDOC Week events
•          Outback Fusion Festival has been postponed until March 2021 at this stage

The Shire is looking into alternative program formats and we will provide updates in the coming weeks.
Shire staff will be in contact with relevant community members about memberships and bookings details.
 
Extra information:
For extra information on the latest alerts and warnings, see the following:
·         WA Department of Health: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
·         Australian Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert 
·         Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080

The Shire of East Pilbara is working with State and Federal Government Authorities in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and there have been a number of actions taken in the last week to respond to Government advice.
This update contains information for the East Pilbara only and does not include Health advice. 
Up-to-date information can be found on the websites below:

WA Department of Health: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
 
Coronavirus: COVID-19: Western Australian Government response

Fact file
Time: 5pm
Date: 25/03/2020
 
Situation:

• The State Government has declared a State of Emergency under the Emergency Management Act and a Public Health Emergency under the Public Health Act.
• Under the State of Emergency, Department of Health are in charge of the situation. The Shire is assisting where requested.
• Daily snapshot for WA has 205 confirmed cases at 2pm Wednesday 25 March 
• 1 Confirmed case in the Pilbara today 25 March. No further details are available at this stage

What to do:

• Community members are being asked to keep informed of the latest safety information and advice from the State and Federal Government
• You can follow daily updates from the State on Facebook
• Protect yourself through quality personal hygiene like you would in the winter flu season, more information here. 

What's happening in the East Pilbara:

• You can get tested for COVID-19 at Newman Hospital if you meet the criteria. Read more here. 
• Sonic Newman are providing phone consults to those at risk. Criteria for phone consults include - pregnant women, children under 1, community over 70, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 50 and those currently being treated for chronic health conditions or immune-compromised. 
• PAMS, KJ's, WDLAC and other service providers have been working with our Aboriginal people to assist transport families back to remote communities by Friday this week. If you know someone that wants to travel back contact KJ on 9129 5100 or WDLAC on 9486 9797. 
• If you want to go back to community and stay safe there, you need to go as soon as you can. PAMs will give you a health check-up before you go. If you have any medication at home you usually take, take it with you.
• Newman Airport has taken steps to implement social distancing, hygiene other protective measures for passengers 
• Remote roads have been closed, please see up to date road closures here
• As of 23 March the Libraries and Recreation facilities have closed until further notice in Newman, Marble Bar and Nullagine  
• As of 26 March Newman and Marble Bar Aquatic Centres are closed until further notice 
• As of 26 March Newman Youth Centre, Marble Bar Rec Shed and Nullagine Youth Activities are closed until further notice 
• All Shire events have been cancelled until the 31 May 2020
• EPIS is still supporting clients and keeping them safe by having every client assessed before entry to ensure they keep everyone healthy 
• Martumili is closed until further notice. Martumili will be supporting artists to work from home.

Extra information:
For extra information on the latest alerts and warnings, see the following:

• WA Department of Health: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Australian Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert 
• Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080

Newman Youth Centre is excited to say we will be OPEN as of Monday 18 May from 2:20pm! ✨✨
Unfortunately, we won’t have the bus service until further notice.
Operating hours will be:
Monday - Thursday 2:20-6pm
Friday 2:20-9pm
Saturday 2-5pm

Marble Bar Rec Shed will be open as of Monday 18th May 2020. 

Find fun interactive activites and updates on Newman Youth Centre's Facebook.

Click on the image to download and print your at home pack! 





 

Are we open?
Newman Recreation Centre will be back open on Monday 18th for Group Fitness ONLY. The Fitness Centre will remain closed until further notice but check out the timetable below.

The Shire Rural Fitness Centres in Marble Bar and Nullagine remain closed. We will keep our members updated on any changes going forward. You can keep up to date with our Facebook page for information and daily exercises including Facebook Live workouts and Yoga videos.

What is happening with my membership?
All memberships have been suspended as of the 23^rd of March. Once the Centre reopens all memberships will resume.

Can I purchase products or supplements during this time?
Yes, please call the Newman Rec Centre on 9177 8075 for more information and to arrange appointments.

I have a question regarding my membership, is there anyone that can help me?
Yes, email csorec@eastpilbara.wa.gov.au or call the Rec Centre on 9177 8075.

The Newman Library will OPEN Monday 18 May 2020, with reduced operating hours:
Monday 12:30-5pm
Tuesday 12:30-5pm
Wednesday 12:30-5pm
Thursday 12:30-7pm
Friday 12:30-5pm
Saturday 9am-12pm

The Marble Bar Library opens 8:30am on Monday resuming normal operating hours.

Nullagine library will remain closed until further notice. 

Please follow directions from staff about correct social distancing measure.

You can also see our online storytime here!
Find Online Resources Here
 

The Shire of East Pilbara announced an unprecedented COVID-19 response package in the East Pilbara, with a suite of measures approved by council.
Below are the forms to access support with your rates 

• Information Sheet
• Waive Penalty Interest
• Waive Instalment Fees and Associated Interest
• Request Payment Plan

See more details about the package here
See the media release item here
See our information booklet here

More information coming soon  

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
On 12 March, the Federal Government announced a $17.6 billion small business stimulus/relief package. Since then, two additional funding packages have been announced - $66 billion on 22 March and a further $130 billion on 30 March. Each funding package has covered a range of measures to support businesses through the COVID-19 crisis.
 
Click below for full details and to see what support is available to your business.
Australian Government small business stimulus/relief package
 
Confused about the JobKeeper payments for employers and employees?
More information around eligibility can be found here.
A factsheet for employees can be found here.
A factsheet for employers can be found here. 
 
STATE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
On 16 March, the WA State Government announced $114 million in measures to support small businesses as part of a $607 million total stimulus package.
 
Click below for full details and to see what support is available to you.
WA Government small business stimulus/relief package
 
LOTTERYWEST COVID-19 RELIEF FUND
WA Premier Mark McGowan and Lotterywest have established a $159 million COVID-19 relief fund to provide support to organisations experiencing hardship. Grants are available for crisis and emergency relief support for eligible not-for-profit and community organisations. The funding will also provide financial relief for not-for-profit sports, arts and community organisations who had lost revenue due to cancelled events.
 
Eligible not-for-profit organisations and community groups can apply immediately for grant support by clicking on the link below or calling 133 777.
www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au/grants
 
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
The Small Business Development Corporation has a number of useful resources available online, including a free advisory service, free online workshops and COVID-19 information tailored to small business owners.
The SBDC has refocused their 133 140 hotline number to deal specifically with queries from business owners looking to navigate the wide range of recently announced Federal and State government measures to alleviate the impacts of COVID-19.
They have also included a practical 12 step checklist of what you can do to keep your business open and/or reduce the impact of coronavirus, which can be found here. 
BUSINESS LOCAL PILBARA
Business Local Pilbara offer free expert advice, direction, training and referrals on all aspects of small business. They also offer business skills workshops.
 
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY WA
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry have launched a COVID-19 microsite. This site contains a number of resources to assist businesses, as well as information, including:

• The CCIWA Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Workbook, which includes plans for contagion
• A sample COVID-19 business continuity plan
• A sample staff communications email
• A COVID-19 Guide for Employers
• An outline of the new COVID-19 subsidies for business
• Screening questionnaires for staff and external parties
• A work-from-home OHS checklist 

AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) have set up a dedicated Emergency Support Infoline on 1800 806 218 to provide advice with anyone having difficulties with tax obligations because of COVID-19.
 
They have also set up a dedicated ATO web page with further support available for businesses and FAQs. 
FURTHER SUPPORT
The Department of Finance website also contains information on State Government measures.
 
Financial Counselling Australia provide free financial counselling through their national debt helpline 1800 007 007.
 
Further support information can be found on the business.gov.au website or for further health related updates head to the Department of Health website.