Changes to Council services and facilities

Children Playing

Below is a breakdown of current services and facilities in the shire, in line with the Victorian Government's current COVID-19 restrictions for regional Victoria:

Current restrictions

  • There are no restrictions on the reasons to leave home but staying COVIDSafe remains important.
  • Residents of regional Victoria including Surf Coast Shire, must not travel to metropolitan Melbourne (or Mitchell Shire), other than for permitted reasons.
  • There are no restrictions on travelling to other parts of regional Victoria. If visiting an Alpine resort, you must have a COVID-19 test performed and receive a negative less than 72 hours before entering the resort.
  • Face masks are mandatory indoors and outdoors for people aged 12 and over and are highly recommended for primary school aged children. You do not need to wear a mask in your own home, or if a lawful exception applies.
  • If you have any symptoms, no matter how mild, you should get tested for COVID-19.
  • Businesses in regional Victoria must conduct an I.D. check to ensure that patrons attending do not reside in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire.

For more information visit the Coronavirus Victoria website

Remember, get a test as soon as possible if you are experiencing:

✓ Runny nose
✓ Loss of sense of smell or taste
✓ Sore throat
✓ Cough
✓ Shortness of breath
✓ Fever or chills

Make a plan to get vaccinated today. Find out more at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine.
 
Restrictions are subject to changes at any time. Go to www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus or call the 24-hour hotline 1800 675 398 for the latest updates.

Vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccinations are now available in Victoria. For more information as the situation evolves, please visit https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines and for a vaccine eligibility checker and updates: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine.

You can also check your eligibility, find a vaccine provider or register by calling 1800 020 080.

Council's Torquay office and customer service

The best way to contact us is to lodge a request for service online.

The customer service team is also available during business hours: 8.30 am - 5 pm (Monday to Friday)

  • By phone: (03) 5261 0600 or 1300 610 600
  • In person: 1 Merrijig Drive

You can also email us at: info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au

Postal Address: PO Box 350, Torquay, 3228

Tip and transfer stations

The transfer stations in Anglesea, Lorne and Winchelsea are open.

The Anglesea Resale Shed is open during its normal hours of operation.

Payment arrangements at Council waste facilities

All Council waste facilities including Anglesea, Lorne and Winchelsea transfer stations are currently cashless and will accept payments via account or EFTPOS only. Using debit and credit cards instead of cash and making use of online and self-serve transactions can help reduce the risk of infection and slow the spread of coronavirus.

Family services, including schools and kindergartens

Early childhood services, including occasional care and family day care are open for all children.

Kindergarten is closed for term break and will resume 4 October.

For safety, additional precautions are in place including staggered drop-off and pick-ups, staff greeting children at the gate, children washing hands before interactions and play, some changes to room layouts and activities.

The Surf Coast Shire Maternal and Child Health service remains available to provide support to the community.

Any person entering the Early Childhood services or community buildings are required to use the provided QR code scanner and wear a face covering as per the State Government restrictions currently in place.

Exercise restrictions and sporting/health facilities

Outdoor playgrounds, communal gym equipment and skateparks are now open, with outdoor personal training allowed for up to 10 people and a trainer. Community sport (training only) is permitted with the minimum number required to train. Spectators are prohibited, except one parent permitted to supervise children. Outdoor community recreation facilities are open for up to 20 people per facility.

Our indoor community facilities, such as halls and pavilions are open with a maximum of 20 people per facility. Torquay's Wurdi Baierr Stadium and Winchelsea Health Club are open with a maximum of 10 people per facility.

For more on exercise restrictions, please visit: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19.

Events

Please visit www.surfcoastevents.com.au for the latest information on major events in the region. For community events and markets, please see our community calendar.

Car parking and roads

Beach car parks and roads are open, but parking regulations will be strictly enforced at all beach locations across the Surf Coast Shire.

Motorists will be able to park in designated parking bays only, and parking regulations will be monitored and strictly enforced. Cars must not be double parked or parked along access roads.

Council meetings

All details on upcoming council meetings are on the Council Meetings page

Visitor Information Centres, Libraries and the Australian National Surfing Museum

Libraries are open.

The Torquay and Lorne Visitor Information Centres (VICs) are now open for face to face enquiries, adhering to density quotients and mask wearing requirements, with retail operating at both sites. The Torquay VIC will close for lunch breaks until schools are fully reopened, due to staffing availability impacts.

The Winchelsea and Anglesea VIC’s will remain closed and volunteers will not return at this point.

Both the Australian National Surfing Museum and the Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre are now open, adhering to density quotients and mask wearing requirements.

As per regulations, all visitors ill be required to show ID upon entry. We look forward to one day welcoming back our metro Melbourne and Mitchell Shire visitors.

Pandemic Response Plan

We have enacted our pandemic response plan and a Council working group is meeting daily to evaluate and respond to the latest COVID-19 developments. Our decision making is being informed by advice from health authorities.

Citizenship ceremonies

Please contact the Department of Home Affairs for any citizenship enquiries on 131 880 or visit their website https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/. See here for further information about our upcoming virtual citizenship ceremonies.

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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