Cr David Lowe, Mitchell Shire Mayor

Mitchell Shire Council has cancelled a number of upcoming events and activities as a result of the ongoing response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) including the Multicultural Festival, Youth Week activities and the school holiday program.

The decision follows the Federal Government announcement today that all non-essential public events of 500 people or more should be cancelled.

As a precaution, youth rooms in Broadford and Wallan will close; library home visits have been cancelled and the planned digital marketing workshops will not proceed in the short term.

At this stage, both the Seymour Aquatic and Sports Centre and Kilmore Leisure Centre will remain open. Indoor pools and gyms will remain open, however, extra staff will be deployed to ensure gym-goers wipe down equipment before and after use.

It is business as usual for other services including kerbside waste collection, resource recovery centres, kindergartens, maternal and child health, immunisation, libraries and customer service will continue.

Council is also activating its pandemic plan to maintain critical services wherever possible in the coming weeks.

“The situation is changing rapidly, and we will continue to monitor and take advice from the State and Federal Governments and our own health experts over coming days and weeks. These cancellations are likely to be the first of many impacts across our community,” said cr David Lowe, Mitchell Shire Mayor.

“It is disappointing to have to cancel, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Particularly as so much work has gone into these events from members of the community, businesses and Council staff.

“We are working very hard behind the scenes to be ready for more widespread impacts and to keep essential services operating wherever possible.”