Western Bay community facilities in COVID-19 Alert Level Four

All Western Bay of Plenty District Council libraries, service centres, swimming pools and recycling centres across the District are now closed.

Council made the call this evening following the Prime Minister’s announcement that the country would be going to Alert Level Four at 11.59pm.

Council CEO John Holyoake says “To keep our people and our staff safe, we’ll be making some changes to our services and will close all non-essential Council run facilities.”

As a result, the following facilities will be closed until further notice.

• Council’s head office - Barkes Corner
• The Centre – Pātuki Manawa, Katikati
• Ōmokoroa Library and Service Centre
• Te Puke Library and Service Centre
• Waihī Beach Library and Service Centre
• Dave Hume Swimming Pool, Katikati
• Community Recycling and Greenwaste Centres – Katikati, Athenree, Ōmokoroa and Te Puke
• TECT Park

Council will continue to follow Ministry of Health guidelines and other directive from central government to mitigate risks to Council services and staff from the pandemic.

Kerbside waste collection is considered an essential service and contractors will continue to collect rubbish bins as usual. For the safety of staff, no sorting can take place during this time.

As such, all glass recycling should be combined into the mixed recycling bin (yellow lid) and food waste should be added into the rubbish bin for the remainder of the week (18-20 August). A further update will be provided at the end of the week.

Pay-as-you throw tags must be used as per usual.

Any library books due to be returned during level four will be extended with no overdues or fines.

All closures will be monitored and reassessed on an ongoing basis.

John says, “The most important thing we can do for ourselves and one another is follow Ministry of Health guidelines. We know the Western Bay community will support us in not exposing our staff to any unnecessary risks.”

For more information and updates on Council services visit: westernbay.govt.nz/community/covid-19