Following the Prime Minister’s announcement, the nation will move to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 at 11.59pm on Monday 27 April 2020.
Under Alert level 3, Council’s focus will still be on essential services and supporting the community. However, work will also resume maintenance, projects, and services that can be done while meeting the Government’s COVID-19 health and safety criteria.
This safety criteria includes strict standards relating to hygiene, physical distancing, contact tracing and the use of personal protection equipment (PPE).
If people do see staff out and about, please respect physical distancing and keep 2 metres away from them and their equipment. Any enquiries should be made through the call centre to avoid bursting any bubbles.
If you would like to report any lockdown breaches, you can report it to the Police online at: https://www.police.govt.nz/105support
What you need to know
Contacting the Council:
The call centre is still the only way to contact the Council. It is available 24/7 and the phone number is: 07-577 7000
Building Inspections:
Building inspections will be resuming and will take place in the same order that they were booked.
Rubbish Services:
Services will continue as they did under alert level 4. Rubbish and recycling collections that are due to take place on Anzac Day (observed) Monday 27 April will take place as normal.
All kerbside rubbish and recycling collection services whether they are undertaken by us or private waste service providers, will continue as normal, unless otherwise stated by your provider.
Transfer Station:
Transfer stations (including the recycling centres), as well as the Jack Shaw cleanfill site are still closed to the public. Commercial operators and account holders will have access.
The transfer station will be opened to the public when we can safely implement physical distancing and contact tracing measures.
Parks and Reserves
Some park gates will remain locked however, parks and reserves will be open to the public (except Mauao, Oropi Mtb Park & McLaren Falls Park which are still closed).
We will also resume maintenance work and mowing to restore normal grass levels. With around 1600 hectares of parks, reserves, sports fields and berms, as well as 30 hectares of gardens and 98km of walkways, we ask for your patience as we get to your area.
TECT Park
Under the guidelines set under Alert Level 3, the park with partially open for mountain biking, horse rising and walking. There is be a strict one-way policy on the accessible trails with signage making this clear to users.
Playgrounds:
All playgrounds are still closed. Please stay away from playgrounds and avoid touching playground equipment.
Picnic tables, public BBQs and drinking fountains
People should avoid using picnic tables. Public BBQs and drinking fountains will also remained turned off.
Boat ramps and beach access:
All boat ramps are closed and all vehicles are prohibited from beaches.This is to reduce the risk of injury and people requiring rescue services.
People can fish from the shore, go swimming and surfing if they are competent.
Parking:
We are not collecting parking fees under Alert Level 3. The fee suspension applies to all on-street and off-street parking spaces, including parking buildings and leased car parks. We will review this if the alert level is extended.
Our focus is on safe and considerate parking. We will start issuing parking tickets if vehicles are not parked safely. If you’re concerned about someone parked illegally, please call our contact centre on (07) 577 7000
For a full update on Council services and facilities, visit: tauranga.govt.nz/covid19
For updates on CODI-19 visit: covid19.govt.nz