Our facilities and services from Wednesday, 28 July 2021.
The Victorian Government announcement by Premier Dan Andrews of a cautious reopen for the state of Victoria from 11.59pm tonight (Tuesday 27 July), means we can reopen some of our face-to-face services.
Airports
Open.
Boat ramps
Open.
Caravan and holiday parks
Will reopen and welcome back guests to our parks if:
• Guests do not reside in identified COVID Red zones
• Guests have not travelled through identified COVID Red Zones
New bookings will be accepted in line with the Chief Health Officer directions on travel within Victoria. Bookings permitted for single households, intimate partners or single bubbles.
If you have enquiries about your stay, please contact:
Mallacoota Foreshore Holiday Park
Customer Service Centres and Call Centre
Customer Service Centres will reopen as of Wednesday 28 July, 8.30am to 5.00 pm.
Call Centre is open from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm on normal business days.
East Gippsland Livestock Exchange
Only essential people to conduct sales to be on site.
Forge Theatre and Arts Hub
Is able to reopen for some shows.
All people who have purchased tickets for shows scheduled at the theatre will be contacted by the Forge Theatre box office with more information.
If you have any box office enquiries, please email or call 03 5153 9641.
Libraries
Will reopen as of Wednesday 28 July, 8.30 am – 5.00 pm
Density limits 1 to 4sqm with no more than 100 people at one time.
Marinas
Will return to pre-lockdown operations.
Playgrounds, parks and gardens
Open.
Planning
The Planning team will remain available by email and telephone only. Application fees can continue to be paid over the telephone by EFTPOS. Planning permit applications currently being advertised are available on our website.
Telephone consultations available during business office hours.
Public toilets
Open.
Raymond Island Ferry
Open. Signing in via QR codes is required
Face coverings are mandatory on the ferry for anyone over 12 years and physical distancing measures must be adhered to.
Recreation Centres
Will reopen as of 6am Wednesday 28 July.
All memberships will be reactivated and if you wish to extend your suspension you will need to fill out required paperwork or submit an online suspension.
- Learn to Swim program will recommence on Friday 30 July, there will be no recreational swimming before or after swimming lessons to ensure the Centre’s remain within capacity requirements. One parent/guardian per swimmer.
- Group Fitness timetables will recommence with a capacity limit of 10 people per class, please contact the Centre for updated timetable.
- Gym and Aquatic entry will return to normal with no bookings required, due to density requirements you may be required to wait if the Centre reaches capacity. We recommend you schedule your visit outside of peak times.
- After School Care program will recommence.
Stadium User Groups will be contacted by the Centre Coordinator to make necessary arrangements.
Regulatory and Compliance Services
Open.
Visitor Information Centres
VICs in Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance will reopen with density limits in place.
Phone and online enquiries available.
Waste services
Open including green waste disposal.
Further information
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is the reliable source of up-to-date information on the coronavirus COVID-19.
You can follow them on social media, or regularly check the DHHS website for updates or call 1800675 398 for up-to-date information and further restriction details.
The department will have updates on the number of known cases, their locations and how to limit your risk of exposure. Please get tested if you have symptoms, wear a mask and practice personal hygiene and physical distancing.
East Gippsland - The way we do business now
East Gippsland Shire residents, businesses, Councillors, staff and the communities in which we live have been hit hard over recent years – by below average rainfall; timber, fishing and farming industry transitions; the 2019-20 summer bushfires and now the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have been there for our community through all these events and now we have a plan for our gradual transition out of the restrictions imposed by the Victorian Government.
Our plan, East Gippsland - The way we do business now is designed to be dynamic and will be reviewed in response to government announcements and other changing circumstances. It will build on what we have learned about delivering our services since the pandemic began and sets out what Council will do to emerge from Stage 3 restrictions in a way that benefits our community, supports our people and continues to safeguard the health and wellbeing of both.
Our decision to close and reopen facilities and services is in line with advice from the Chief Health Officer and the Victorian Government’s easing of restrictions.
For more about current COVID-19 restrictions, visit the DHHS website.
There are currently no plans to display.
Please check back soon.
How is COVID-19 spread?
It is spread through close contact with an infected person. Close contact means greater than 15 minutes face-to-face or the sharing of a closed space for more than two hours with a confirmed case.
A close contact could include any person meeting any of the following criteria:
- living in the same household or household-like setting (for example, a boarding school or hostel)
- direct contact with the body fluids or laboratory specimens of a confirmed case
- a person who spent two hours or longer in the same room
- face-to-face contact for more than 15 minutes with the case in any other setting not listed above.
What are the symptoms?
Many people who contract COVID–19 will suffer only mild symptoms. However early indications are that the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions are more at risk of experiencing severe symptoms.
The most common coronavirus symptoms reported include:
- Fever
- Breathing difficulties such as breathlessness
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Fatigue or tiredness
If you feel unwell
You need to call ahead before visiting your doctor or emergency department. This allows the medical centre to put infection control measures in place.
DHHS also has a self-assessment chart to help you decide if you should be tested.
More information
To find out more about COVID-19, including how to self-isolate and latest media releases on the issue, visit the DHHS website.
Further information
What you can do
- If you have any questions about any council service, please contact us on 5153 9500, email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au or visit our website.
- Please continue to practice social distance and good hand hygiene.
- If you have questions in relation to the easing of restrictions in general please visit the DHHS website.
Business Victoria COVID-19 hotline
To help businesses with COVID-19 questions, call 13 22 15.
Circuit Breaker Business Support Package
The Victorian Government has launched the $250 million Circuit Breaker Business Support Package to assist small to medium businesses and sole traders, under the circuit breaker restrictions announced on 27 May 2021.
The package will support businesses unable to operate due to these necessary public health measures, including targeted support for the events industry.
Council's services
* Please see the information posted at the top of this page for information about current Council services when restrictions are in place.
Bushfire Recovery
The Bushfire Recovery Centre located at 24 Service Street, Bairnsdale, has closed. For bushfire-related enquiries and access to support, please visit any of our customer service centres or phone us on 03 5153 9500.
Business and Tourism
All economic development, tourism, event and drought assistance services will continue to be delivered, but remotely. The Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance Visitor Information Centre (VIC) is open 9.00 am to 5.00 pm daily.
Caravan Parks
All caravan parks we operate are open.
For more information please see our Caravan Park information.
Customer Service Centres
Our customer service centres are now open.
- Corporate Centre, Bairnsdale
- Lakes Entrance
- Mallacoota
- Omeo
- Orbost
- Paynesville
We are also still able to service the public through online services, telephone and email. Transactions can be taken over the phone and through our website, and this is encouraged.
Our call centre is open from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Mondays to Fridays.
VicRoads agencies – appointments only available at Omeo, Orbost and Mallacoota.
Bendigo Bank, Centrelink agency – available, no appointment required at Omeo.
Environmental health and building services inspections
Where inspections are to occur on private property, we will discuss requirements with individual property owners. This may include the rescheduling of non-urgent or non-essential inspections.
Face masks
Face masks are available for vulnerable people (an initiative of DHHS) by phoning us 5153 9500. Face masks will be posted on request.
Forge Theatre
The Forge Theatre is open in line with COVIDSafe measures.
Library services
All our libraries reopened Wednesday 21 October with normal opening hours, however we ask that you please follow the restrictions in place. There will be a limit on the number of customers at each library.
Libraries will also continue to offer a click and collect online service. For the Bairnsdale Library, book an appointment by phoning 5152 4225 or email
- Library e-resources are available to download and can be found on our website under ‘Libraries’.
- Face to face story time and Rhyme Time program has returned, contact library for more information. Other programs such as movies booking is essential.
- Mobile library will return first week in February. To see schedule visit the library page.
Planning
Our planning team will continue to be available by telephone, email and video-conferencing appointments during business hours. Planning permit applications, certification applications, requests for plans and requests for information are to continue to be made via email and electronic lodgement. Pre-application meetings are encouraged. Payment of fees will continue be via telephone.
Playgrounds
All playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gym equipment are open. Please remember to carry your face mask and keep 1.5m apart.
Raymond Island Ferry
The ferry is closed to pedestrians during cleaning times. The pedestrian area will be cleaned twice daily.
Pedestrian access is not available between:
- 9.00am - 10.00am
- 5.00pm - 6.00pm
EFTPOS only transactions. Masks are mandatory while using this service.
Recreation Health Clubs and Indoor Pools
We are excited to let you know that with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions our Recreation Centres are open with some density limits.
The pools and Health Clubs of both the BARC and Aquadome will be open during the below times.
Opening hours
6am – 8pm weekdays
9am – 5pm weekends and Public Holidays
Bookings are essential for our Free Swim Friday sessions to ensure we meet our density limits.
Please visit the website to book.
Outdoor Pools are now open, operating times are weather dependant.
After School Care – will recommence from Wednesday 4 November.
Creche – will remain closed for now. We will seek expressions of interest before reopening is considered.
Please contact us at the BARC on 5152 5710 or the Lakes Aquadome on 5155 3333
School Crossing Supervision
Schools remain open to children of essential workers. We will continue to provide supervision on school crossings following social distancing protocols.
Some crossings at individual schools may be closed. This decision will be made in conjunction with individual schools and will be communicated to parents and caregivers.
Waste
All waste services continue. Payment is by EFTPOS only.
Tip shops at all of Council's waste facilities, including transfer stations, are open.
QR Code Check In Campaign - information for businesses
Business owners have a very important role to play keeping their communities safe from coronavirus.
If you’re in charge of a business or venue, you’re also in charge of checking in.
All businesses must now use the Victorian Government QR Code Service — unless an exemption applies.
Checking in helps the Government act fast to stop the spread of coronavirus, and protect businesses, communities, and each other.
You can help by placing your Victorian Government QR code at the entrance of your business or venue, and making sure everyone checks
in, every time.
Learn more at the Victorian Government coronavirus website.
Register to use the QR Code Service
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