COVID-19 (coronavirus) information and resources
There are lots of resources available to help you during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.
We have also made some changes to our services, facilities and events.
We encourage you to check back regularly as this information is updated as things change.
Updated: 1:45pm, Friday 31 July 2020
Latest news
Experiencing symptoms? Get a test today.
We are encouraging residents experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 to get a test. Symptoms include:
- fever
- cough
- sore throat
- shortness of breath.
Drive Through Testing Clinic - Rockdale
A drive through testing clinic is operating at Rockdale Womens Sportsfields, 310 West Botany Street, Rockdale (netball courts on West Botany Street).
This facility is operated by 4 Cyte Pathlogy. Patients must have a referral to attend this service, however, no appointment is necessary.
The clinic operates 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday.
Drive Through Testing Clinic - Kyeemagh
A drive through testing clinic will operate from the ‘Fishos’ Club car park at Muddy Creek, 100 Bestic Street, Kyeemagh (a.k.a. the Brighton Le Sands Fisherman's Club car park)
This clinic is operated by Histopath Diagnostic Specialists, no referral or appointment is necessary.
The facility operates 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Testing clinics are not run by Council. Not all testing clinics require a referral. The NSW Health department has established COVID clinics across the state. If you need advice or have questions, call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.
Change to restrictions
Please refer to the NSW Government's current rules for what you can and can't do.
What does this mean for Bayside Council?
From 1 August, Eastgardens and Rockdale Customer Service Centres and Bayside Libraries will reopen on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm and continue operating Monday to Friday with reduced operating hours from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Council will continue to review the restrictions under the public health order when published to establish a plan for reopening of further facilities and services.
We ask that you continue to do the right thing by maintaining physical distancing of 1.5m apart. Fines apply for breaches. Breaches should be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The timetable for easing further restrictions will be decided by the NSW Government. We will wait for their advice before announcing any changes to our services.
You can find a full list of the impacted facilities and services below.
Beaches - open with restrictions, for gatherings of up to 20 people
Beaches are now open, however we rely on our community continuing to do the right thing. This means:
- stay 1.5 metres from other people
- keep gatherings to 20 people or less.
This applies to the 8.4kms of beachfront from Kyeemagh Boat Ramp to the bottom of Riverside Drive in Sans Souci.
Council rangers and NSW Police will be monitoring the beach to make sure everyone does the right thing.
You must follow the Public Health Orders. These are in place to protect you and others. To report breaches of these orders, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Rate relief package
On Wednesday 8 April, Council met and considered options for providing some rate relief to property owners in Bayside.
If you are receiving an Australian Government payment (JobKeeper or JobSeeker), you can apply to enter into a payment arrangement to pay off your May instalment by 30 June 2021.
Find out more, including how to apply.
Local business support
On Wednesday 1 April, Council met and agreed on a number of measures to help local businesses suffering due to the impact of COVID-19:
- enter into a payment arrangement to pay the May instalment over a longer period without interest.
- we will reduce or waive fees associated with leasing arrangements for Council premises where activities are prohibited due to COVID-19
- we are supporting local restaurants and cafes with a flexible approach to compliance issues such as delivery and opening times
- we will pay suppliers quicker than usual to help inject more money into the economy.
Community information and resources
Our resources:
-
Connecting Communities is our community directory. It provides links to important information and services from reliable, trusted sources.
- Apply for a deferral or payment arrangement for your rates
- Connecting communities through COVID-19: a directory of important information and services
- Police assistance during COVID-19: advice on staying safe, with information on reporting crime, fraud, domestic violence and anti-social behaviour.
External links:
- Australia.gov.au: essential information, health and provential advice
- NSW information and updates: information on services, health and support.
- Posters and factsheets in your language: information from NSW Health
- News and information in your language: news and information from SBS
- Accessible information and factsheets: Council for Intellectual Disability
- Emergency relief packages for self-isolation from Service NSW
Our Services
Operating normally
Service operating, with some changes
Not operating
| Service | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
|
Rockdale Customer Service Centre |
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Open 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday and 9am - 1pm Saturday |
|
Eastgardens Customer Service Centre |
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Open 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday and 9am - 1pm Saturday |
|
Customer Call Centre |
|
|
|
Waste Collections |
|
Operating as normal. Find your collection date |
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Council Clean Up |
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Operating as normal. Find your collection date |
|
Libraries |
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Click and Collect and Browse and Borrow services are operating at all libraries - Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm. Rockdale Library will also be open for Click and Collect on Saturday, 9am to 11am. The following libraries are open for public use: Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm Tuesday and Thursday, 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm and Saturdays, 9am to 1pm. There are no programs or events at this stage of re-opening. Limited use of the computers, printers and study rooms will be available. To maintain physical distancing staff will not be able to provide one on one assistance to customers using PCs. A maximum of 2 people per study room will also be in place. In accordance with NSW Guidelines, strict numbers, physical distancing and hygiene will apply. Library members are required to register at entry. |
| Library online services |  |
Access educational and library resources including e-books, audio and film |
|
Engineering and related applications |
|
You can lodge an application at the Eastgardens and Rockdale Customer Service Centres from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 1pm Saturdays. Applications are assessed as normal. |
|
Development Advisory Service |
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8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday at the Eastgardens and Rockdale Customer Service Centres |
|
Bayside Garden Centre |
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Operating as normal - 41 Beach Street, Kogarah - (02) 9553 7346 |
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Council Meetings |
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Meetings are held in the Rockdale Town Hall Auditorium and by audio-visual link. You can attend the meeting by registration only. Priority will be given to those that have registered to speak on an item. You can watch our meetings live on our Facebook page. |
|
Local Planning Panel Meetings |
|
Meetings are held by audio-visual link. You can watch our meetings live on our Facebook page. |
Our Facilities
Open
Some restrictions apply
Closed
| Service | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
|
Beaches and Beachfront Carparks |
|
Beaches are open. You must adhere to social distancing guidelines and public health orders. |
|
|
Contact the operator BlueFit for further information |
|
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Botany Aquatic Centre |
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Annual closure for the winter season |
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Mutch Park squash centre |
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Will re-open from Tuesday 3 August 2020 to limited numbers, to comply with the current Public Health Order. Call ahead after this date to avoid disappointment and make a booking on 9316 9785. ‘Walk-ins’ may be turned away to avoid breaching the facilities’ COVID-19 capacity. More information is available on the facility. |
|
Tennis Courts |
|
Tennis courts are open with the following restrictions;
All use of Council's recreation facilities is done so at the risk of the user. |
|
Community centres, senior citizen centres, halls and meeting rooms |
|
Community facilities will re-open from Monday 17 August with conditions, including limited numbers. Please contact the Sport and Recreation Team directly for further information on sport.recreation@bayside.nsw.gov.au or 1300 581 299 All use of Council's community facilities is done so at the risk of the user. |
|
Parks |
|
These are open, however users must adhere to physical distancing guidelines, practice personal hygiene and adhere to the current Public Health Order. Please keep gatherings to 20 people or less, including your group and other uses. Council is not issuing permits for the use of parks. All use of Council's recreation facilities is done so at the risk of the user. |
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Sportsfields |
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These are open with conditions, including limited numbers. Please contact the Sport and Recreation Team directly for further information on sport.recreation@bayside.nsw.gov.au or 1300 581 299 All use of Council's recreational facilities is done so at the risk of the user. |
|
Playgrounds and skateparks |
|
These are open, however you must adhere to physical distancing guidelines and public health orders. Please:
It's safest to act as though the people who used the equipment before you have the virus. All use of Council's recreation facilities is done so at the risk of the user. |
|
Botany Golf Course and Pro Shop |
|
The Pro Shop is open at 7am, 7 days a week, for patrons to pay 'n' play on the course. For more information on COVID-19 impacts and restrictions, contact the Pro Shop on (02) 9316 4930 |
|
Personal training and outdoor exercise training |
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Personal trainers and outdoor exercise group training operators must:
All use of Council's recreational facilities is done so at the risk of the user. |
|
Organised sports (clubs, associations and commercial operators) |
|
Operators must:
Please contact the Sport and Recreation Team directly for further information on sport.recreation@bayside.nsw.gov.au or 1300 581 299. All use of Council's recreation facilities is done so at the risk of the user. |
Our Events
Going ahead
Postponed
Cancelled
| Service | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
|
All Bayside Library public events, activities and programs |
|
Cancelled until further notice. See Bayside Library's Facebook page for online programs |
|
2020 Ron Rathbone Local History Prize |
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The 2020 Ron Rathbone Local History Prize and the 2020 Junior Ron Rathbone Local History Prize for Primary and High School students has been cancelled due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19 and the difficulties of accessing the library’s research material. |
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Bushcare Groups |
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Restarted with COVID-19 restrictions in place |
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Youth Drop In sessions at Eastlakes and Hillsdale |
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If you need support or help, please call our Youth Worker Yasemin on 0447 116 805 |
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Child Restraint Check Day |
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Cancelled until further notice |
|
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Please contact the Department of Home Affairs directly on 131 881 for any queries about your Citizenship |
|
|
Meeting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community |
|
Postponed until further notice |
Jump to:
Need to contact us?
Call 1300 581 299 (weekdays 8:30am-4pm and Saturday 9am-1pm) or email council@bayside.nsw.gov.au