COUNCILS have been forced to make dramatic changes to their operations as a result of the week-long Hunter lockdown with most community facilities now shut.
However, across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie essential services like kerbside waste collections and ranger patrols are continuing.
Lifeguards also continue to patrol some of Newcastle's beaches.
Newcastle council
CLOSED
- Blackbutt Reserve (other than bush trails for essential exercise)
- Libraries, including the return shoots
- City Administration Centre at 12 Stewart Avenue including the customer service centre and digital library
- City Hall
- Civic Theatre and Civic Digest
- Community centres and halls
- Fort Scratchley
- Newcastle Art Gallery
- Newcastle Museum
- Tighes Hill Animal Facility
- Visitor Information Centre
- Summerhill tip to domestic customers.
OPEN
- Beach patrols: Bar Beach, Nobbys and Merewether 8am - 4.30pm. Newcastle Ocean Baths: 8am - 4.30pm.
- Kerbside waste collections continuing as normal.
- Summerhill tip for commercial waste services only.
- Beresfield Childcare Centre.
Lake Macquarie council
CLOSED
- Speers Point administrative centre for face-to-face customer service
- Lake Mac Swim Centres
- Rathmines and Warners Bay theatres
- Lake Mac Libraries (extended due dates on all loan items)
- Community centres and halls, including Hunter Sports Centre and The Place
- Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie, yapang (MAC)
- Visitor Information Centre at Swansea
- Lake Mac Holiday Parks (tourists already in the parks can remain on-site)
OPEN
- Awaba tip for all customers
- Kerbside waste collections continuing as normal.
- Outdoor recreational and exercise facilities, including playgrounds.
Council staff in both Newcastle and Lake Macquarie carrying out essential construction and maintenance services will continue working in-line with COVID-safe protocols and in accordance with relevant Public Health Orders.
