Blue Mountains City Council will reopen some services and facilities from 11 October 2021, in line with the NSW Government's 'Reopening NSW roadmap'.
Blue Mountains Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said: "BMCC will be reopening services to the public, but our priority is always safety for staff and safety for customers.
"I urge residents to follow all COVID-19 requirements, including the wearing of masks and having proof of vaccinations when needed.
"We all need to do the right thing, to ensure the safety of our families and each other, during this period when COVID restrictions are easing but COVID continues to spread."
- Council's Customer Contact Centre at Katoomba is reopening Mondays to Thursday, from 9am to 4pm. This includes the Service NSW agency. Service NSW requires that the Customer Contact Centre is open to all in the community (vaccinated and unvaccinated) - except for driver testing that requires participants to be fully vaccinated.
- Katoomba and Blaxland Waste Management Facilities are accepting waste as normal from all in the community. The reuse sheds will reopen from 25 October.
- Blue Mountains Libraries at Katoomba and Blaxland are opening weekdays for those who are fully vaccinated. Click and Collect will continue weekdays at Springwood Hub.
- Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, including the café, are reopening for those who are fully vaccinated.
- Fitness centres at Springwood and Katoomba are reopening, with a maximum of 20 to a class, for those who are vaccinated.
- Indoor pools at Springwood and Katoomba are also reopening from 11 October, but only for Learn to Swim, Lap Swimming and Squads. Indoor pools will not be open to the general public. Bookings will be taken from Friday, 8 October. Those attending aged 12 years and over must be fully vaccinated. Outdoor pools at Glenbrook, Lawson and Blackheath reopened on 27 September to all. The new Public Order now states they are only open to those who are fully vaccinated.
- Council sports grounds and ovals will be available for limited community sport training activities to recommence, for those who are fully vaccinated. The current Public Health Order states that people can undertake sport and exercise at outdoor public gatherings, in groups of up to 20. This figure includes participants, coaches and support staff and spectators/parents. Clubs and associations will need to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place and provide the plan to Council prior to undertaking training activities.
- Echo Point lookout reopens from 11 October. The Visitor Information Centre at Echo Point will reopen Fridays to Mondays, 9am to 4pm, from 15 October.
- Blue Mountains Tourist Parks are also reopening, with restrictions. When booking at the Tourist Park, you are required to verify that your party includes no-one from outside of Greater Sydney, or any unvaccinated adults from outside the Blue Mountains Local Government Area.
- Council camping grounds are also reopening, but only to those outside the Blue Mountains Local Government Area who are fully vaccinated. Those who live outside Greater Sydney are not currently permitted to visit local camping grounds.
- Community Halls are reopening from 18 October. COVID Safety Plans will be managed by community groups. Council will start taking bookings from 11 October.
COVID Safe check-ins are required for patrons visiting Council facilities. Proof of vaccination (for those 16 years and older) is also required at Council facilities, as outlined above.
There are two ways to show proof of vaccinations:
- A COVID-19 certificate (a digital or printed copy)
- An immunisation history statement (a digital or printed copy).
Get more information at nsw.gov.au/vaccinations.
Masks will also be required in all indoor settings (except for those under 12 years). There will also be density limits for some areas.
"I urge the community to remember that Council is operating within a framework that is set by NSW Health," Mayor Greenhill said.
"This includes facilities only being open, currently, for those who are fully vaccinated. This includes outdoor pools that have previously been open for those who are unvaccinated, but from Monday 11 October, are only open to those who are fully vaccinated.
"Council staff will not tolerate aggressive behaviours at facilities. Please remember - that NSW Police enforce the Public Health Orders, not Council."
The following Council facilities remain closed for now:
- The Springwood Customer Contact Centre will still be closed for face-to-face visitors until further notice, but customer service officers continue to be available on the phone. Council's eServices are also available. Go to https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/eservices.
- Blue Mountains Theatre Box Office is expected to open for theatre ticket sales on Wednesdays to Fridays, 9.30am to 12.30pm, from 20 October. Performance are scheduled to recommence in November.
- Blue Mountains Hub and Braemar House & Gallery is expected to reopen on 28 October.
- Blackheath, Wentworth Falls and Lawson Libraries will remain closed until further notice.
- The Visitor Information Centre Glenbrook will remain closed until further notice.
The lighting of sports fields will also cease from Friday, 8 October, due to daylight saving commencing and fitness centres reopening.
You can stay up to date on the reopening of Council services and facilities at bmcc.nsw.gov.au/COVID19-updates.
Get more information on the NSW Government's 'Reopening NSW Roadmap' at https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/easing-covid-19-restrictions.
