Ipswich Art Gallery, Ipswich Civic Centre and Visitor Information Centre will be closed at close of business today (Monday), to comply with current health advice.
And Ipswich Libraries will close as of close of business on Tuesday.
Ipswich interim administrator Steve Greenwood said it was council’s civic duty to ensure everything was done to help protect the health of ratepayers and residents, and to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
The Ipswich Pound and Animal Management Centre will remain open, as will transfer stations, community centres and pools.
Most over-the-counter services provided by council will be available at the administration building in South Street.
“This situation is impacting everyone,” Mr Greenwood said.
“Our team is coming up with creative ways to keep residents engaged. For example, our Active and Healthy program has been postponed in parks, but people can jump online for a dose of yoga or boot camp.
“Similarly, Ipswich Libraries has a great online service which remains open at ipswichlibraries.com.au, and the Covid Comfort program allows people to borrow up to 50 items for eight weeks.”
Ipswich City Council’s Local Disaster Management Group today became fully operational.
“This effectively ensures that council is in full disaster mode, and will work with other agencies such as West Moreton Health to do what we can to help the community,” Mr Greenwood said.
“It is the same course of action we’d take with floods or fires, although we all appreciate that this current pandemic is uncharted territory for all of us.
“Within council, we are encouraging all people to practise social distancing, to remain healthy, and to be aware of their surrounds. We ask the community to do the same.
“Our main duty is to the community, and as the need arises, we’ll be offering some of our people an opportunity to join on-the-ground efforts to assist those most at risk. This might involve doing grocery runs or similar – we’ll just have to assess what’s required at any given time.”
Mr Greenwood said council would also be announcing further fee relief, particularly for sporting clubs which were among those hurting most.
