A message from the Mayor

19 March 2020

UPDATE:1pm Thursday 19 March

On behalf of everyone at Waverley Council, I would like to thank the Waverley community for considering the welfare of others during these challenging times. I have truly been humbled by our community’s generosity of spirit and acts of kindness towards the elderly and those most at risk of COVID-19 including people with chronic medical conditions, people in group residential settings and very young children and babies. In fact, if you witness such generous actions, please let me know as I would like to highlight such wonderful examples of who we are as a community.

I would like to assure the community that the Council has measures underway to enable the continued delivery of essential services and to contribute to efforts to prevent further spread of coronavirus in line with advice from Commonwealth and NSW Government health authorities. We are working through what services we can continue to offer without public gatherings in buildings and are making decisions in a calm, considered and rational manner.

Our Officers will continue to work with key community stakeholders including Precincts to distribute general information about available support and services in relation to COVID-19 especially to groups who may not access information online. Our officers will also assist in the coordination of essential support by local aged and disability providers and grassroots action by community groups such as the Waverley Community and Seniors Association, Our Big Kitchen and others, in helping vulnerable people and assist to contain the virus’ spread. I also ask that you check out Viral Kindness Eastern Suburbs Sydney (formerly known as Eastern Suburbs Corona Virus Community Cares Network) on Facebook and see how you can help the vulnerable through real community action.

If you need support but don’t know how to access it, you can call Council’s Customer Service number on 9083 8000 and we will do our best to refer you to the right people. You can also go to our homepage for the latest updates.

We will continue to monitor and make decisions in line with the latest COVID-19 advice to ensure that our community remains safe and is supported. Please take care during these challenging times and listen to the official advice. Also please be considerate towards your neighbours and community and do not panic buy.

For the latest health advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au. If you are feeling unwell and have symptoms in line with the virus, call the National Coronavirus Help Line on 1800 020 080. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450. The phone number of the NSW public health agency is 1300 066 055, and is also available at www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts. If you have concerns about your health, speak to your doctor.

Councillor Paula Masselos

Mayor of Waverley