NEWS

BLUE MOUNTAINS

COUNCIL CLOSURE

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill has announced a second wave of measures as Blue Mountains Council goes further to help restrict the spread of COVID-19.

Mayor Greenhill said: “Frankly, I think the nation needs to go faster. My view is that we need to go hard and go early. I think other levels of government have missed opportunities but I am determined that the Blue Mountains local government will not.

“We recently closed all our pools and libraries except the newer facilities at Springwood and Katoomba. We have cancelled events and gatherings and we have closed our city theatre.

“On Tuesday 24 March 2020, following the consultation of staff and stakeholders we will commence further closures in order to ensure the safety of our community and our staff.

“To date, while we have been acting on the advice of NSW Health, I will admit some of these measures go further. I would rather be accused of doing too much than doing too little.” The following sites will be closed:

• Blue Mountains Hub, at Springwood, including the Customer Contact Centre. Lower Mountains residents will be able to access services and pay accounts over the phone, or online, or via cheque. Get more information at https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/.

• Katoomba Resource Recovery and Waste Management Facility

• Katoomba and Springwood Libraries. This follows the closure of Blackheath, Wentworth Falls, Lawson and Blaxland on Thursday, 19 March.

• Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, and

• All public halls including Wentworth Falls School of Arts and Glenbrook Cinema.

WOMEN’S DAY

Blue Mountains City Council staff gathered in early March to celebrate International Women’s Day, acknowledge their achievements, and support each other in making the world a more equitable place.

Council CEO, Dr Rosemary Dillon, opened the event with an Acknowledgement of Country and an observed a minute of silence in honour of Hannah Clarke, her three children, and all who have been impacted by family and domestic violence.

“Everyone can help create a gender equal world that is caring, compassionate and non-violent,” Dr Dillon said.

“We are responsible for our own thoughts, our own speech and our own actions. When we think, speak and act in ways that show respect, care and kindness we help make the world more equal and a better place.

“Council is committed to progressive policies