Updated: 9am 6 April 2020
Date of issue: 25 March 2020
SHIRE CLOSURES AND CANCELLATIONS DUE TO COVID-19
Following advice from the Federal Government about tackling the spread of the Corona Virus (COVID-19), the Shire of East Pilbara has temporarily closed several facilities for the safety of the community and to help ‘flatten the curve’.
“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 – CLOSED
- Newman Aquatic Centre – CLOSED
- Marble Bar Gym – CLOSED
- Nullagine Gym – CLOSED
- Marble Bar Pool – CLOSED
Please contact the Newman Recreation Centre on 08 9177 8075 if you have any questions
Library Services
- Newman Library – CLOSED
- Marble Bar Library – CLOSED
- Nullagine Library – CLOSED
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 - CLOSED
- Marble Bar Rec Shed- CLOSED
- 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
- Cape Keraudren Nature Reserve has been closed, as of today 25 March 2020.
- 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.
- Martumili is closed until further notice
- 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 Nullagine
- Both the Newman and Marble Bar Shire Admin Offices are closed. Essential appointments can be made by calling the office.
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
ENDS
How the East Pilbara is responding to the National COVID-19 Pandemic
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: