COVID-19 information and FAQs

The Town’s admin centre reopens on Tuesday 2 June, with a small team in the office.

However, we encourage continued contact wherever possible for enquiries and payments via phone, email, the website and by mailing cheques to us.

If you do need to visit us, please know only a maximum of five customers will be allowed in the reception area at any one time, with a concierge service in place.

Appointments will need to be made for complex enquiries where you need speak to a specialist officer, ie: for a planning or rates matter.

Please respect social distancing protocols, hygiene practices and follow the instructions of staff and signage when entering the building.

The Digital Hub and the depot are still closed to the public.

Aqua/leisure centres

Aqualife and Leisurelife are both open to members and the community to enjoy social and physical activities.    

For more information, please visit our leisure facilities page.

Library

The Town of Victoria Park Library opened on 18 May, with front counter service, drop off and pick up services and access to computers with time limits, social distancing restrictions and a regular cleaning regime. Lengthy browsing for books will not be allowed and our programs remain postponed, until further notice.

For more info see our library FAQs below.

The Town has reopened dog exercise areas and barbecues and water fountains at various locations also back in operation.

In line with State Government guidelines, from Saturday 6 June our skate parks, playgrounds, spaces with outdoor gym equipment and basketball courts will be open. Only the Lathlain Precinct Zone 2X courts in Carlisle will remain closed due to an ongoing noise matter. Our water fountains and barbecues in recreational spaces have also been cleaned and turned back on.

Please observe the responsible use directions on signage in place at these sites, including remaining vigilant with your personal hygiene, and physical distancing and limiting your time spent to an hour, for use of equipment to give everyone a go.

From 30 May majority of our public toilets will be reopened for public use. These facilities will have additional cleaning. Soap will be provided where possible, however, due to vandalism and potential fire hazard no paper towels or air dryers will be available. 

Please continue to observe State Government social distancing and hygiene measures recommended.

Yes, following State Governments relaxing of restrictions, the Town has switched its water fountains back on. Please follow the advice on attached signage.

The Water Services Association of Australia says that "drinking water in Australia is high quality and is well treated. There is no evidence that drinking water will be affected by the COVID-19 virus or that it is transmitted by drinking water. There is also no evidence that has been transmitted by wastewater systems. Water is an essential service and water utilities are well prepared to manage their response to COVID-19."

You can download their fact sheet here.

You can also read the Water Corporation's COVID-19 response, including their FAQs.

At a Special Council Meeting on 7 April, Council endorsed a 0% rate rise for the 2020-2021 budget, meaning there will be no increase in rates or fees and charge for the financial year ahead.

Additionally, collection of charges for underground power will be deferred until 2021. 

Council also gave direction for the Town to prepare two alternative budget scenarios to achieve a potential reduction in rates of between 5% and 10%, to be considered for budget adoption in June. 

Effective immediately, Council has waived interest on outstanding rates for 2019-2020, waived cancellation fees, late fees and suspended membership fees until further notice, and waived rent for not-for-profits and sporting clubs leasing Town property.

The Town has supported a number of initiatives to support the community during COVID recovery stages, including adopting a Hardship Relief Policy, introducing a Restart Community Grants and Donations Program, and transferring $500,000 into reserve fund dedicated to future recovery projects and programs. Find our more visit our Restart Vic Park COVID recovery web page.

At this stage, essential services will continue to be delivered – these include waste collection, maintenance for Town buildings, roads, footpaths and parks, parking and ranger services and primary administration services. 

In the case of a full shut down, our Business Continuity Plan allows for the continuation of minimal service delivery.

Our website has some options for completing business transactions and payments online. People can also phone and email us as usual.

Council meetings have been held remotely instead of in person since March 2020.

The ABF held on Tuesday 2 June will also be remote and livestreamed, and we will return to in-person meetings, with limited seats for the public gallery, for the June OCM on Tuesday 16 June. 

We encourage our community to view these meetings through live stream via our website.

Questions and statements from the public can be lodged online, or by emailing governancevicpark@vicpark.wa.gov.au, by 12noon on the day of the meeting.  

If you do not have an internet connection, you can provide your questions in advance by calling 08 9311 8111 and asking to speak with the Governance team.  

For more information visit our Council meetings webpage.

Our contractors have advised bin pick-up services specifically will continue, regardless of council service changes.

The Town has a dedicated business support during COVID-19 webpage. This has launched the #StillOpenForBusiness campaign, and a business directory for those still operating deliveries and takeaway services. In partnership with Business Foundations, we are also offering a FREE one-on-one business advisory service to Vic Park-based businesses to deal with the outbreak and its impact. 

The Town and State Government have introduced a series of changes within the planning system to support businesses and enable flexible responses in a changing environment. 

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry have also put together a COVID-19 response micro-site which contains a lot information around disaster recovery and business continuity. The Small Business Development Corporation also has a COVID-19 online hub here.  

The Federal and States Government have also announced a range of stimulus packages to support WA households and small businesses in the wake of COVID-19. Visit https://www.wa.gov.au/service/business-support and https://www.business.gov.au.

To support business and the provision of essential community services during COVID-19, the WA Minister for Planning has issued a notice to allow temporary exemptions for certain approvals and planning requirements. These will remain in effect until 90 days after the end of the State of Emergency. Please see the link for more information: https://www.dplh.wa.gov.au/notice-of-exemptions. If you have any questions, please contact us on 9311 8111 to chat to a Planning officer. 

For Town-business specific updates, you can sign up to our Vic Park Biz newsletter. 

Our Community Development team has been checking in with our community groups and reached out to local support services to ask how we can help them at this time. Actions have so far included: 

• Reviewing our volunteers register to identify skill sets for dedicated outreach support. 
• Providing Village Hub with a platform to expand its Neighbour to Neighbour program. 
• Donating cleaning and catering supplies to NGOs, including gloves, masks, packaging and takeaway supplies.
• Sharing social media posts of community group help initiatives.
• Contacting sporting clubs, membership groups and service providers weekly to maintain previous bookings and prepare for recovery efforts, including rescheduling events such as Arts Season. 

As usual, tickets are required at all times and we encourage you to purchase these though your mobile phone by downloading the Easy Park app.

Fees

The Town has increased free time along Albany Highway to 1 hour and decreased the subsequent hour to $1.10. To ensure there are enough bays for everyone, time limits still apply, please observe the signage in the area. 

Current infringements

To reduce the immediate financial pressures our community may be experiencing, the Town of Victoria Park has placed payment of issued infringements temporarily on hold. 

Whilst the infringement notice is on hold, there is no further action required. Please check back here for updates.

Pending infringement appeals

If you have submitted an appeal and have not had a response, it is still under review and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as a decision has been made. 

These decisions may be sent from a ‘no-reply mailbox’ and you are advised to regularly check your junk mail folder. 

In the event your appeal is not successful, the temporary hold on infringements (outline above) will apply.

If you are worried about this, please use the Easy Park app, free download to your phone.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or isolated, there is support available for you and your family members both nationally and within the Town. 

Mental health support 

• Lifeline 24/7: 13 11 14 
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 
• Crisis Care 24/7: 9223 1111 
  
  

Children and youth mental health services 

• Headspace: 1800 650 890 
• Kids Helpline 24/7: 1800 551 800 
  
  

Relationship support 

• 1800 Respect 24/7: 1800 737 732 
• Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 007 339 
• Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 000 599 
  
  

Additional support services 

• Sussex Street Community Law Service: 6253 9500 
• St Vincent de Paul Emergency Relief Service: 1300 794 054 
• National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007 

The Town has taken action to respond to advice on cancelling and postponing events and programs, and closing public facilities that attract large numbers. 

The following events and programs have been cancelled or postponed.

Events cancelled: 

• Arts Season

• Park Flicks: The Australian Dream, What is Democracy? 
• Park Flicks: Everybody Street
• Discover your digital creativity 
• Twilight Multicultural Arts Fair 
• Mindfulness and Music 
• Art on Wheels 
• Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror 

• Harmony Week events 
• Citizenship Ceremonies held in April 
• ANZAC Day
• Name the Laneway launch event

Events postponed: 

• Playtime in the Park 
• Lathlain Park opening 
• Town Faithful 
• Vic Park Business Awards 
• Suburb safety sessions

Programs, services and public facilities interrupted/closed until further notice: 

• Higgins Park consultation workshops 
• Laneway naming launch and pop-ups 
• McCallum Park skate park consultation
• Baby Rhymetime and Storytime at the library 
• Saturday night bingo at Leisurelife 
• Living Longer Living Stronger group fitness classes 
• Mums and bubs fitness classes 
• Digital Hub operations
• All park bookings
• Cocooning program
• Blender bike hire
• Public outdoor Ping Pong

The library is open at reduced hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am–5pm
Thursday 9am–8pm
Saturday 9am–5pm

What safety measures are in place?

The library is adhering to Federal Government COVID 19 guidelines. We can all help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Australia.

To protect others you must:

• Practise good hygiene. The library has hand sanitiser available for your use.
• Practise social distancing. Everyone must also stay 1.5 metres away from other people whenever possible.
• Follow the limits for public gatherings. Library limit is restricted to 50 people at one time

Antiseptic wipes available for use on trolleys and PC equipment. Please place any wipes in bins provided.

A regular cleaning regime of common touch points such as counters, trolleys, PC desk and IT equipment will be introduced.

If members are unwell or are displaying any of the COVID 19 symptoms we ask that you refrain from visiting the library at this time.

Loan limits increase

As of Saturday 1 August, the loan limit permanently changed to 20 items. This includes all types of loans ie. DVDs, magazines, board games etc. 

Can I use the public access PCs, scanner and printer?

Yes. Access to computers will be limited to one hour per patron per day.

Printing and scanning is still permitted.

Antiseptic wipes are available for customer use where applicable.

Due to social distancing rules there will be no library staff assistance available for use of any of the IT equipment.

One-on-one Digital Literacy Support is available on Wednesday mornings 9am - 12pm and Thursday afternoons 1pm - 4pm. These sessions are for individuals and are aimed to match the customer's needs. Bookings are essential. Contact the library on 9373 5500 to make a booking. 

Services available

During stage four, library services will be restricted.

• Members can select new items for loan and collecting reserved items and return current items on loan.
• PC bookings limited to one hour. 
• Limit of 50 customers adhered to at all time.
• Newspapers and new magazines are available.
• Public toilets are open.
• Water fountain is not available.
  
  

Programs

Some programs will remain suspended until further notice.

Baby Rhymetime and Storytime have recommenced. Due to stage four restrictions limited number of people (this includes children) are allowed in the library at any one time, we will be taking bookings for each session. To book please go the Programs and Events page.

Can I book the meeting room?

Meeting room bookings will begin again from Monday 26 October (pending ongoing decisions made by State Government and WA Health Department). 

How will you be communicating updates to us?

Our website is the main source for all information regarding cancellations and closures, and Town specific information about COVID-19. We will also be communicating these via our other Town channels (social media, e-newsletters etc.), however we encourage everyone to visit the website first.

Aqualife and Leisurelife are both open to members and the community to enjoy social and physical activities.    

For more information, please visit our leisure facilities page.

What is happening with client bookings?

One-to-one digital literacy support will be trialled at the Library from Wednesday 15 July. Initially, a limited number of bookable appointments will be available on Wednesdays and Thursdays. For availability please call 9329 4238.

Will the Tech Savvy Workshops be running?

Tech Savvy Workshops will resume from Saturday 25 July. To book, please visit the event listing on our website.

Will there be an online or phone service offered by the Digital Hub?

Over the phone one-to-one digital literacy support is still available by telephone call throughout the week, 10am–4pm Monday to Friday. This can be accessed by calling 9329 4238.

Where can I get technology help online?

We recommend joining the Federal Government’s online digital literacy program, BeConnected. There you can find resources to help you use your phone, tablet or computer, make the most of online resources and to stay safe online. To sign up, visit beconnected.esafety.gov.au, click the purple 'Sign Up' button in the top right hand corner, then click 'Create an Account'. When you sign up, type in 'Town of Victoria Park Digital Hub' into the 'Name of Support Centre' box. After signing you can explore resources and track your learning progress.

How will you be communicating updates to us?

Our website is the main source for all information regarding cancellations and closures, and Town specific information about COVID-19. We will also be communicating these via our other Town channels (social media, e-newsletters etc.), however we encourage everyone to visit the website first.

What if I have paid for a Healthy Community program and it was postponed?

We are offering participants a credit to use over the next six months, however if you would prefer a refund we can also arrange this. Please contact us at healthycommunity@vicpark.wa.gov.au

How can I stay physically and mentally healthy during this time?

We encourage you to check out the following websites, which offer useful health advice.

• The World Health Organisation's tips to combat stress curing the COVID-19 outbreak 
• LiveLighter (WA's leading healthy lifestyle campaign, including tips to stay healthy, be active, and healthy recipes)
• Act Belong Commit (support for mental health)
• Beyond Blue (support for mental health)
• Lifeline's advice to maintain your mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak
• Black Dog Institute (support for mental health)
• Headspace's information for young people affected by stress related to COVID-19

Can I contact the Healthy Community team?

Yes, please contact us at healthycommunity@vicpark.wa.gov.au if you have any further questions. We would still like to support you and help you stay healthy during this time.