Strict social distancing requirements will be implemented at MidCoast Council's ordinary meeting, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 25 to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the community.
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The social distancing requirements will significantly reduce the number of people who will be able to fit into the public gallery, general manager Adrian Panuccio explained.
The meeting agenda includes a recommendation to award a contract for the conversion of the former Masters site on Biripi Way into council's head office. If approved, council will enter into discussions with the preferred tenderer.
Also on the agenda is a recommendation to establish a community recovery bushfire reference group, an update on the damage to The Bight Cemetery at Wingham and a late report to recommend the signing of the annual financial statements following the completion of the audit by the NSW Audit Office. This is a legislative requirement that needs to take place prior to the release of audit reports.
The meeting is due to be held in the Taree Council Chambers at 2pm.
Mr Panuccio said an audio recording of the proceedings will be available on the council's website as soon as possible after the meeting for those who wish to follow the process without gathering at the meeting.
The social distancing requirements will be met by reducing the number of seats available in the public gallery and ensuring they are appropriately spread out.
Anyone considering attending the meeting should give strong consideration to the Federal Government's recent advice recommending against non-essential travel
- MidCoast Council general manager Adrian Panuccio
Anyone considering attending the meeting should give strong consideration to the Federal Government's recent advice recommending against non-essential travel, Mr Panuccio added.
Those attending will also be required to provide their name, address and contact details which will be recorded in a register prior to entering the meeting to allow for follow up in the unlikely circumstances it is required.
The open and public forum sections of the meeting will be held without a public gallery.
"Those who have registered to present are being provided with the opportunity to either teleconference or provide a submission that will be read to councillors at the forum," Mr Panuccio said.
Mr Panuccio said the community should be aware that the situation and advice on COVID-19 is changing rapidly, and the latest advice would be applied to Wednesday's meeting.
To keep up to date on the latest information on how MidCoast Council is providing services to the community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, please go to Council's website www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au or follow MidCoast Council on facebook.
"We will continue to operate in line with the latest advice from the Federal and State Governments and aim to get any of our impacted services up and running again as soon as it is responsible to do so," Mr Panuccio said.