Keeping connected with Council during the Christmas holidays
Published on 18 December 2020
Residents and visitors will be able to connect with Gannawarra Shire Council during the Christmas holidays, thanks to online resources and an emergency contact number.
With more than 20 of Council’s services either implementing alternative arrangements or not proceeding between Thursday, 24 December 2020 and Tuesday, 12 January 2021, Council is ensuring residents are aware of these changes and how to keep connected.
“Christmas and New Year is a special time for the Gannawarra, especially after the year we have experienced,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.
“It is important that residents and visitors are aware of what services are occurring at this time, as well as alternative arrangements that are in place.”
A full list of service changes was published in the 15 December 2020 edition of the Gannawarra Times, the 17 December 2020 edition of the Koondrook Barham Bridge and the November-December 2020 edition of Gannawarra Connect. These changes can also be viewed below.
Some of these key changes include:
- Council’s Customer Service Centres will be closed from close of business on Thursday, 24 December 2020 and re-open Monday, 4 January 2021;
- Household waste collections that would normally occur on Friday, 25 December 2020 and Friday, 1 January 2021 will take place on the Sundays following, being Sunday, 27 December 2020 and Sunday, 3 January 2021;
- The Cohuna and Kerang swimming pools will be closed on Friday, 25 December 2020 and will operate during the hours of 12pm to 7pm on Saturday, 26 December 2020 and Friday, 1 January 2021; and
- The Gannawarra Shire Children’s Centre will close at 6pm on Wednesday, 23 December 2020 and will reopen at 8am Tuesday, 12 January 2021.
During this period, residents will be able to keep connected in the following ways:
- Reporting any problems or issues that require further investigation at any time by visiting www.gsc.vic.gov.au/request;
- Reporting any emergencies to 0409 022 920;
- Emailing council@gannawarra.vic.gov.au at any time; and
- Following Council’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/gannawarra - which will feature up to date information, including extensions to swimming pool opening hours, heat health alerts, Total Fire Ban declarations and publication of other details.
“Please remember that these options to contact Council are available at any time, not just during the Christmas and New Year period,” Mayor Gillingham said.
“Gannawarra Shire Council, Councillors and staff wish all residents and visitors a Merry Christmas and an enjoyable holiday season.
“We also hope 2021 is a successful year for you and your family.”
Gannawarra Shire Council office and service hours Christmas/New Year period 2020/2021
Community Access/Respite Care
Community Access/Respite Care services will take place by prior arrangement only. If you require Community Access/Respite Care over this period, please discuss your needs with our Administration Officers on (03) 5450 9333 before Thursday, 24 December 2020.
Community Care Services
If you are not going to be home for the Christmas holiday period please let office staff know as soon as possible for administration purposes on (03) 5450 9333.
For NDIS, Personal Care and Meals on Wheels alterations/ emergencies/cancellations during the Council office closure period, please telephone (03) 5450 9601.
Council offices
The Kerang Customer Service Centre will close at 5.00pm on Thursday, 24 December 2020 and reopen at 8.30am Monday, 4 January 2021.
The Cohuna Customer Service Centre will close at 4.00pm Thursday, 24 December 2019 and reopen 10.00am Monday, 4 January 2021.
For Council emergencies only please call 0409 022 920.
Denyer Landfill
The Denyer landfill will be closed on Friday, 25 December 2020 and Friday, 1 January 2021. Normal operating hours apply on all other days.
Family Day Care
For urgent queries over the holiday period, please telephone 0427 372 488.
Gannawarra Non-Emergency Transport Service
The GNETS service will not be in operation from 5.00pm Thursday, 24 December 2020 and will recommence from Monday, 4 January 2021.
Gannawarra Shire Children's Centre
The Gannawarra Shire Children’s Centre will close at 6.00pm Wednesday, 23 December 2020 and will reopen at 8.00am Tuesday, 12 January 2020.
The centre's office will close at 5.00pm on Thursday, 24 December 2020 and re-open at 8.30am on Monday, 4 January 2021.
Gateway to Gannawarra Visitor Centre
The Gateway to Gannawarra Visitor Centre will be closed Friday, 25 December 2020 and Saturday, 26 December 2020.
Operating hours for other dates are as follows:
Thursday, 24 December 2020: 9.00am - 12.00pm.
Monday, 27 December 2020 to Friday, 1 January 2021: 10.00am - 2.00pm.
The Centre will return to normal trading hours on Monday, 4 January 2021.
Home Care and Property Maintenance
There will be no Home Care or Property Maintenance offered from 5.00pm Thursday, 24 December 2020 until 7.30am Monday, 4 January 2021. Veteran Home Care clients can call 5450 9333 if they would like to re-arrange their times.
Kerang Exercise Pool
The Kerang Exercise Pool in Patchell Plaza will close from 2.00pm Thursday, 24 December 2020 and will reopen 10.00am Monday, 4 January 2021.
Libraries
The Sir John Gorton Library, Kerang closes at 5.00pm on Thursday, 24 December 2020 and reopens at 11.00am Monday, 4 January 2021.
The Cohuna Library closes at 4.00pm on Thursday, 24 December 2020 and reopens at 10.00am Monday, 4 January 2021.
The Leitchville Library closes at 5.00pm on Tuesday, 22 December 2020 and reopens at 1.30pm Tuesday, 5 January 2021.
The Quambatook Library closes 4.00pm on Wednesday, 23 December 2020 and reopens at 9.30am Monday, 4 January 2021.
Local Laws/Animal Control
For local laws and animal control emergencies only, please phone 0428 500 212.
Maternal and Child Health
Maternal and Child Health Centres will be closed from 5.00pm Thursday, 24 December 2020 and will reopen as normal on Monday, 4 January 2021.
For information, advice or support contact:
Maternal & Child Health Line 24-hour - 13 22 29
Parent Line - 13 22 89
Breastfeeding Helpline - 1800 686 268
Nurse on Call - 1300 60 60 24
For urgent matters please contact your local GP or Hospital.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels will continue as usual except for Christmas Day. If you require a meal on Christmas Day please discuss your needs with our administration staff on (03) 5450 9333 before Thursday, 24 December 2020.
Outdoor swimming pools
The Cohuna and Kerang swimming pools will be closed on Friday, 25, December 2020 and will operate during the hours of 12.00pm - 7.00pm on Saturday, 26 December 2020 and Friday, 1 January 2021.
Personal Care
Personal Care will continue as usual except on Christmas Day, when no services will be offered.
Transfer Stations
The Cohuna and Kerang Transfer Stations will be closed on Friday, 25 December 2020, Sunday, 27 December 2020 and Friday, 1 January 2021. Normal operating hours apply on all other days.
Waste and Recycling Collection
All collections that would normally occur on Friday, 25 December 2020 and Friday, 1 January 2021 will take place on the Sunday following, being Sunday, 27 December 2020 and Sunday, 3 January 2021. All other collections remain the same.