24 March 2020
As Mayor of Cumberland City Council, I want to give you an update on Council's response to Coronavirus.

A number of Council services will close as the State's lockdown measures on non-essential services come into force to contain the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Public safety is always our number one priority and Cumberland City Council's response to this pandemic will mirror the determinations made by the NSW and Federal Governments.
 
I want to reassure residents that essential services will continue. Bins will be collected; routine maintenance and repairs will be going ahead, and our Contact Centre will remain open to answer the calls of the community.

I also want to say that we know this situation is very difficult for small businesses. I will be proposing some measures on what Council can do to provide more support at the Council meeting on 1 April 2020.
 
The following Council-run facilities are closed to the public:
  • Pools (Granville Swimming Centre, Guildford Swimming Centre, Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre and Merrylands Swimming Centre)
  • All Libraries 
  • Community centres (Auburn Centre for Community, Auburn Town Hall, Allan G Ezzy Community and Youth Centre, Bathurst Street Park Hall, Berala Community Centre; Granville Town Hall, Greystanes Community Centre, Guildford Community Centre, Lidcombe Community Centre and Linwood House)
  • Tennis court hire
  • Community bus loop
The following Council-run services are operating:
  • Council-run child care centres
  • Customer service functions
  • Waste services and street cleaning
  • Meals on Wheels
  • Public toilets
Council has cancelled Citizenship Ceremonies and non-essential public gatherings.
 
For updates on Council's response to Coronavirus and the impact on events, programs and non-essential services please visit our website.

During this very difficult and uncertain time, I encourage people to show compassion and care for each other, and do your best to stay safe and healthy.

Kind regards,
Steve Christou
Mayor for Cumberland City Council
Granville Multi-purpose Centre on its way

Mayor Steve Christou has been inspecting progress on the Granville Multi-purpose Centre, which is now 60 percent complete. The Multi-purpose Centre will also include a library and arts facility. The project is expected to be completed in the second half of 2020.
New footpath works

Last week, Mayor Steve Christou inspected the Eastern side of Bligh Street, Guildford which is now complete. Council workers are now working through the Western side after an issue was raised by a resident.  "It's all about going back to basics and delivering for our local community," said Mayor Christou.
Council gets back-to-basics

Mayor Steve Christou has recently been out in Granville's Memorial Drive, with Council working on stormwater upgrades in the area.
Flooding has been identified in the area, and with the new Granville Multi-purpose Centre nearing completion, infrastructure must support this.
"We know ratepayers work hard. It's all about getting bang for buck," said Mayor Christou.
Do you know an elderly person in need?

Our Seniors team offer a range of services to assist those in need. If you know someone who is elderly and in need of groceries or meals, contact us!

Our Meals on Wheels service provides  freshly cooked, culturally appropriate meals which also meet specific dietary needs, allowing people with disability and senior citizens to continue eating well and maintaining their independence.

Our Social Inclusion team will be helping our Seniors community with a range of services.

For more information phone us on 8757 9031.
Cumberland City Libraries are now closed

To ensure the safety of our community all our libraries are now closed until further notice.

You can still contact our library staff between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday or email us with any enquiries at library@cumberland.nsw.gov.au.

For a list of our online library services visit the Cumberland City Council website.

Auburn Library: 8757 9060
Merrylands Library: 8757 9065
Children's Centres are open 

Are you working from home and looking for child care? Cumberland City's Education and Care Centres will remain open to help care for children during this time.

Our School Holiday programs will also proceed, with the exception of excursions.

Twilight Story Time in the park with Poppy has been cancelled to ensure the health and safety of our community.

For more information on our Children's Centres visit the Cumberland City Council website. 
Waste and Hygiene

You can help keep your neighbourhood healthy by keeping your waste disposal areas clean and tidy.
  • Please place all household rubbish fully inside your red general waste bin, enclosed inside a plastic bag if possible. This applies  particularly to items such as used tissues.
  • Do not leave bags of waste outside or next to bins.
  • Do not overfill your bin - please make sure the bin lid can close.
  • Use the yellow recycling bin for empty containers from the kitchen, bathroom and laundry only. 
  • Book a Council Clean Up for bulky items and only place them out the night before the collection date. This will help to keep our streets clean and tidy. Penalties apply for illegal dumping.
Grants and Community and Environmental Workshops

On the advice of non-essential gatherings and social distancing, Council have taken the below measures for the health and well being of our community.

ClubGRANTS Open 1 April

The ClubGRANTS Information Session will continue to run via a live broadcast on Tuesday 7 April 2020 from 1.30pm to 3pm. Register for our online broadcast today.  The next round of Grants will open on 1 April 2020. 

The following Community and Environmental workshops have been cancelled:
  • Kids Clothing & Toy Swap, 24 March 2020
  • Community Sector Networking Forum, 31 March 2020
  • How to Host a Low-Waste Party for Kids, 3 April 2020
  • Discover Cumberland Bus Tour, 6 May 2020
  • Discover Cumberland Guildford, 20 May 2020
Supporting Local Business

In light of recent health advice, all workshops and one-on-one business advisory sessions will be conducted online or via phone. These include:

Arabic Speaking Business Workshop - How to Start a Small Business
Wednesday 1 April 2020, 10am to 1pm

Selling Products and Services Made Simple
Thursday 2 April 2020, 1.30pm to 3.30pm 

For a list of our one-on-one advisories please visit our website. 

Our local businesses are important to us. We will continue to provide updates with free workshops to assist you during this time. 

For more information on how to take part in a workshop or advisory session please contact natalie.yu@cumberland.nsw.gov.au. 

Changes to Flavours of Auburn

Cumberland City Council has cancelled the below Flavours of Auburn cooking classes for the health and well being of attendees:
  • Ethiopian Cooking Class: 21 March 2020 
  • Afghani Cooking Class, 27 March 2020 
  • Pakistani Cooking Class 10 April 2020
  • Ethiopian Cooking Class, 24 April 2020
  • Afghani Cooking Class 16 May 2020 
  • Vegan Ethiopian Cooking Class 22 May 2020 
  • Afghani Cooking Class, 29 May 2020 
  • Afghani Cooking Class, 5 June 2020 
  • Moroccan and Tunisian Cooking Class, 19 June 2020
Cooking lovers have the option of refunding or rescheduling. For more information or assistance, please email marika.kahle@cumberland.nsw.gov.au.
Helpful Tips and Resources 

1. If you have travelled overseas in the last 14 days you must self-isolate. For more information on self-isolating visit NSW Health.

2.   If you are experiencing any symptoms or fever you can do a test at one of the clinics listed on the   NSW Health website. NSW Health stress that clinics are for those most at risk with respiratory symptoms, fever and those returning from overseas or in contact with a COVID-19 case.

3. Call or FaceTime a friend, grandparent, family member or neighbour. Social connection is needed now more than ever.

4. Be mindful of the vulnerable population, particularly the elderly. If you have neighbours who are seniors, offer a helping hand.

5. Our neighbours are teachers, nurses, health workers and other community champions who are currently on the frontline. Send over a meal to assist those doing the hard yards.

Please stay updated on changes to Council events and services on our website.

For any health related enquiries please call your GP or contact Health Direct on 1800 022 022.

For any concerns in relation to your mental health and well being please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

For Translating and Interpreting services please call 131 450.
Contact your Councillors

Cumberland City Council has 14 Councillors representing the five Wards of Granville, Greystanes, South Granville, Regents Park and Wentworthville. 

The primary role of a Councillor is to represent the people who live in their Ward. 

They are your local representative to Council. 

To find out who are the Councillors for your ward and their contact details please click here.

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