A full guide to CODC services during the lockdown

Here's a full run down from the Central Otago Disrict Council on their emergency operations and services during the Covid-19 crisis.

The Central Otago District Council Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was activated on Tuesday 24 March as part of the Civil Defence response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A national State of Emergency was declared on Wednesday 25 March ahead of the nationwide lock down. The purpose of the EOC is to assist health services to meet the needs of visitors and the wider community in response to COVID-19 in Central Otago.

As much as possible CODC will be operating its EOC remotely, in keeping with national self-isolation measures.

“We activated the EOC on Tuesday in anticipation of an escalation in the number of cases of COVID-19 and the need for Central Otago to respond,” said CODC CEO Sanchia Jacobs. “Our role is to relieve the burden of demand on the health system by providing welfare assistance wherever possible so they can focus on the critical role of keeping people safe.”

“Right now, the single most important thing people can do is strictly observe the measures the government has put in place, don’t look for loop holes or ways to bend the rules.”

A COVID-19 section has been set up on the Council’s website for information related to the local response and can be found at  https://www.codc.govt.nz/your-council/covid-19/Pages/default.aspx. This will support the key national source of information https://covid19.govt.nz/, set up by the Government to be a location to find everything we need to know to get through this as a nation in one place.

Changes to Council Services

Our offices and all Council’s facilities are closed to the public, but Council is still operating and focused on delivering essential services during this time.

Our customer services ‘virtual reception’ will remain open during business hours and you can reach our team by calling 03 440 0056 or emailing [email protected]

Keep up to date

Please follow the www.covid19.govt.nz website for the most up-to-date information from the government about the national response.

On Council’s website www.codc.govt.nz and Facebook page www.facebook.com/centralotagodistrictcouncil we will be regularly posting updates at a local level, including information on Council’s essential services and local welfare messages. These will also be published on The Central App.

For those not online please tune into local radio. Radio Central will be sharing regular bulletins with Council updates. Check out the Radio Central frequencies below for your area:

91.9FM            Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell

94.3FM            Teviot Valley

96FM               Wakatipu

104.3FM          Maniototo

And in the Maniototo Burn on 728AM, will be sharing local updates.

Council and Community Board Meetings

Over the next four-week period, all scheduled meetings have been cancelled.  All matters that can be deferred, have been deferred until it is practicable to meet as normal.  This is subject to change.

Reduced Waste Management Services

Now that we have moved into Alert Level 4 in response to Covid-19, Central Otago District Council has made some necessary changes to the district's rubbish and recycling services. 

The changes will affect kerbside collection, recycling and availability of transfer stations throughout the four-week lockdown period outlined by government.

Normal kerbside collection services will continue until Friday 27 March.

From Monday 30 March weekly collection of general waste (red bins only) will occur on the normal scheduled bin days for each area, for the duration of the lockdown.

All transfer stations will be closed and residents will not be able to drop waste at these facilities. This includes: recycling, green waste, hardfill or large volumes of residential waste.

The only exception is for those residents who do not currently receive kerbside collections. For these people only, a strictly limited service will be available for disposing of household waste at local transfer stations. Please note that large volumes of loose material are not able to be accepted and that all waste must be bagged to minimise the risk to onsite staff.

Opening hours of transfer stations for those without kerbside collection only are:

• Alexandra & Cromwell – Monday & Wednesday between 10am - 12 noon
• Ranfurly & Roxburgh – Thursday between 1pm - 4 pm

For recyclable waste (yellow and blue bins), there will be no recycling services or collections available during the lockdown period.

Residents are being urged to clean and store their glass and mixed recycling at home until normal services resume. Where this is not an option, as a last resort, residents may place these items in their red bins for disposal at landfill. 

The disposal of materials  to landfill, that could in any other circumstances be recycled, is not our preferred option. However our community, along with the rest of New Zealand, is facing an unprecedented situation.​

Ensuring the health and safety of our staff and the wider community is our top priority, and manual sorting of recycling would place staff involved at a higher risk of transmission of Covid-19.  

We ask that all residents consider cleaning and storing items that can be recycled until normal waste management services resume.

We appreciate everyone's understanding and cooperation during this time and remind everyone to keep safe, be kind, and remember that we are all in this together.

Water and wastewater

Council’s contractors will be continuing to work to ensure that essential water and wastewater services are provided within the district.  Work has stopped on major projects and renewals, but our maintenance contractor Fulton Hogan is continuing to carry out the maintenance activities required to ensure these services continue to operate.  If you notice any water leaks, or experience wastewater issues then please report it as normal to council on 03 440 0056.

Fulton Hogan will be out and about undertaking essential repairs.  Please do not approach the work crews, and maintain safe distancing to ensure everyone stays safe.

Roading

Council’s roading contractor Fulton Hogan will be working to address issues that compromise public safety or obstruct access to properties.  Routine roading activities have been halted for the next four weeks to ensure that we play our part in stopping the spread of Covid-19.

If you notice issues that need to be addressed immediately for safety or to clear roads then please report it to council on 03 440 0056.

Pools

All Central Otago pools are closed until further notice

Parks and Reserves

Council’s Open Spaces Contractor Delta will be scaling back to essential services only – including rubbish removal at public litter bins and cemetery duties.  Mowing of grass is also not being undertaken at this time.

While it is not possible to physically close sports fields and playgrounds, please treat these as closed.  Basically consider our public reserve spaces as places for you to pass through only to enjoy, and remember to keep physical distance (at least 2m) from others.   Smile and wave, give a thumbs up … but keep your distance.

Planning (Resource Consents)

The processing of resource consent applications will still be undertaken by our staff working remotely. Please also note that due to the nature of some of our processes we may not be able to offer a complete service on some applications during this time, e.g. NES searches, sections 223 & 224 applications.  If we are unable to complete these for you, we will confirm this with you at the time of application and endeavour to complete the process as soon as possible once business as usual resumes. We are still confirming arrangements to conduction hearings and will advise relevant parties when we know the outcome of this.

Building Control

The processing of building consents applications is currently still be undertaken by our staff working remotely, however this is for applications already received. Please also note that due to the nature of some of our processes we may not be able to offer a complete service on applications during this time. We are still confirming potential arrangements to receive and process new applications and will advise when we know the outcome of this, which may not be possible until the emergency level has reduced. We understand this is difficult, but appreciate your patience and understanding at this time.

Alcohol Licences

The alcohol licence application process are still being undertaken by our staff working remotely. Please also note that due to the nature of some of our processes we may not be able to offer a complete service on some applications during this time. We are still confirming potential arrangements to receive and process new applications and will advise when we know the outcome of this, which may not be possible until the emergency level has reduced. We understand this is difficult, but appreciate your patience and understanding at this time.

Environmental Health

If your business is still operating as an essential business please make sure you are familiar with the following advice:

https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-level/essential-businesses/

https://www.mpi.govt.nz/covid-19-essential-primary-sector-service-registration/

Dog Control

Our dog control services remain in place, but are likely to be limited during this time (Level 4). Please be extra vigilant to make sure your pets remain part of your family “bubble” and under control at all times to ensure you, your dog and others maintain social distancing at all times and safe to unite against COVID-19.

Noise Control

Our noise control services remain in place but are likely to be affected at this time (level 4).

Public Toilets

All Council-managed public toilets in the district will remain open, with the exception of Champagne Gully and Pinders Pond camping area toilet facilities.  All toilets throughout the district are now subject to heightened levels of cleaning (hospital grade disinfectant and steam cleaning with Germ Guard).  We ask that people take all precautions to practice good hygiene practices:  Wash hands. Use soap. 20 seconds at least. Then dry thoroughly. Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

Business Support & Services

Our economic and tourism departments are collating information and advice for businesses in Central Otago. See the details here.

www.centralotagonz.com/covid19

Do It Online

While our doors are closed there is a lot you can do online in terms of application forms and payments. Find out more at https://www.codc.govt.nz/services/do-it-online/Pages/default.aspx

Libraries

And on the topic of doing things online…. How about visiting our digital library! 

Our physical library facilities are closed until further notice but our digital library services remain open! The Library’s digital collections include eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming movies, research databases and digital magazines and newspapers are available to you 24/7 with your library card. These are free and available through the Library’s website. Check out the details at: https://codc-qldc.govt.nz/library-online

If you aren't a member of the library already, did you know you can sign up online and join so you can access this digital world? Here's the  https://codc-qldc.govt.nz/join

Book drops are closed. Please do not return materials until further notice.

All overdue and hold fees will be waived.

Your physical items will be automatically renewed to 17 September 2020.