Campbelltown Council will tonight enter a brave new world of holding its monthly meeting in cyber space.
Other councils have decided to postpone their April meeting but at 6.30pm tonight Campbelltown councillors and senior officers will each sit in front of their computer at home to discuss, debate and vote on a number of issues, from the plans for a giant cemetery at Varroville to a new healthy food and drink policy.
Mayor George Brticevic, pictured below, will chair the meeting from his usual spot in the council chambers on the third floor of the administration building in Queen Street.
Some staff will be participating in the meeting from their homes, but those that will be in the chamber will be maintaining social distancing.
There will not be live streaming of the meeting, however council says it will be recorded and made available to the public and the media as soon as possible within the next 24 hours
It is no surprise that the most important item on the business paper for tonight’s meeting will be Campbelltown Council’s response to the impact of the coronavirus in the local area.
Latest health department figures show that 33 people from Campbelltown had tested positive to Covid-19 at 8pm on Sunday, April 13.
Councillors will tonight be asked to endorse Campbelltown Cares Community and Business Covid-19 Pandemic Support Package, and in particular waiving all payments of a fee for shop inspections relating to health and food premises until June 30.
If required, this could be extended past that date.
A report to council says part of the Covid-19 response initiatives have included additional support to Meals on Wheels, including a large scale industrial freezer to store meals.
Council staff have been enlisted to help with delivery of Meal on Wheels in a bid to maintain essential services to vulnerable residents.
Council is also making its halls available for not-for-profit organisations to provide food hampers.
The report to council also lists a number of initiative designed to support local businesses, including a pilot program where council staff deliver take away food orders from selected outlets.
Council is providing hardship support to ratepayers, including waiving interest and enabling a 12 month payment plan, the report said.
