COVID-19 information and FAQs

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Please note this information is current as at the time of publishing. We will provide regular updates to our community as the situation changes and WA Department of Health advice comes through. 

The Perth and Peel region have returned to pre-lockdown life.

Find out how you can support your local businesses here.

The Town will continue to follow the advice of the State Government. You can find a list of frequently asked questions about the restrictions on the WA Government website.

For further advice please continue to visit the WA Department of Health website.

To view Department of Health Australia and World Health Organisation information in other languages, visit the multilingual resource library: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Multilingual Resource Library

For Australian Government updates and resources including news, advice and newly available financial assistance visit https://www.australia.gov.au. You can also view this Government support document(PDF, 382KB).

What is the Town doing to maintain personal hygiene and encourage social distancing?

  • At its own buildings and facilities the Town has been following Department of Health advice to frequently disinfect doorknobs, buttons, light switches, handrails, tap handles and front counter servery desks with quaternary ammonia or bleach-based chemicals.  

  • We are sharing Government advice and referring to key information on 'social distancing' and personal hygiene habits as an effective way to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. 

  • Our Rangers are supporting WA Police with increased patrols to encourage people to follow social distancing rules. Rangers cannot enforce the rules but will report people not observing WA Health restrictions to police.

Are your major facilities open?

Leisurelife and Aqualife are open.

The Administration building is open by appointment only. Click here for more information.

The Library is closed and offering online services and computer sessions by appointment. Click here for more information.

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

Are parks and playgrounds open?

In line with State Government guidelines, playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor recreational facilities are open.

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.

 

 

 

Are toilets open?

All public toilets are open.

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

Are water fountains turned on?

Yes, water fountains currently remain on. Please follow the advice on attached signage.

Is tap water safe to drink?

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.

 

What other measures is Council taking to support the community?

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. To find out more, visit our Restart Vic Park COVID recovery web page.

What essential services are still operating?

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

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

Will Council meetings still be held?

Council meetings are still being held, though virtual meetings may take place as required. 

We encourage our community to view this 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 3pm 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.

Will my bins still be picked up?

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

How is the Town supporting local businesses?

The Town has a dedicated business support during COVID-19 webpage. 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. 

How is the Town supporting community groups and not-for-profits?

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. 

Do I still need to purchase a parking ticket if visiting a doctor, chemist or other business?

The Town of Victoria Park would like to advise that the parking fees along Albany Highway have been updated, because of the higher occupancy and the Town’s dynamic parking* approach. 

See https://www.victoriapark.wa.gov.au/Around-town/Parking-and-travel/Parking under "Where I can find parking?" for the fees and charges. 

To ensure enough bays will be available for patrons visiting the Town, time limits still apply. Always refer to signage, ticket machines and the EasyPark app to check on ticket pricing at any given location.

Is it safe to touch parking machines? 

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

What mental health and family support services are available?

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 

 

Healthy Community FAQs

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.


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.

 

 

 

 

 

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