COVID-19

We will keep you updated on Council's service changes due to COVID-19 below.

Talk to someone in your language

For health information visit NSW Health or call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.

Case locations are being updated daily – please ensure you check the NSW COVID-19 case locations and alerts page regularly.

Updated 25 January 2022

Conditions of entry into our places

• No density limits apply except in indoor hospitality settings
• Check in via the Service NSW COVID Safe check-in is required for access to all Council venues 
• Face masks are required for entry into all Council venues 
• If you test positive for COVID-19 from a rapid antigen test (RAT), you must register your test result with Service NSW.

Find further details at the NSW Government website

Current rules and public health orders

Visit the NSW Government website for the current rules that apply to people in NSW.

Find the latest public health orders at the NSW legislation website.

Staff shortages

Inner West Council is experiencing staffing shortages due to the current COVID-19 situation.

These shortages are starting to impact on some of our services, including booked bulky waste collections, streetscapes, rangers and customer service.

These services are still being delivered – but there may be some small delays. And please note, regular waste collections (red, yellow and green bins) are not affected and are still running as normal.

We apologise for an inconvenience. For more information call 9392 5000.

Vaccination information  

Council has launched a large-scale public education campaign encouraging the entire Inner West community to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Find out more about the campaign here.

• Where and how to get your COVID-19 vaccination: Find out how and where to get your COVID-19 vaccination, and find out what to expect when you go to get your vaccination.
• Vaccine eligibility checker: Answer some questions to check when you can get a COVID-19 vaccination, find out where, and book an appointment. You can do this for yourself or another person.

These websites may help you find a vaccination provider:

• FindAPharmacy.com.au: Find an appointment at a pharmacy.
• HotDoc: Find an appointment at a GP
• Covid Queue

A list of local pharmacies, GPs and medical centres offering COVID-19 vaccinations is available here (click to expand):

GPs and medical centres

Pharmacies

Arts

Chrissie Cotter Gallery and Thirning Villa Gallery are now open. 

Council’s Creative and Cultural Resilience Grants Program closed in 2020. Find out more at the Creative and Cultural Resilience Grants webpage.

Council has created a support page for the local arts and cultural sector, which lists relevant grants, information and resources, including mental health support.

Business support

Council recognises that small businesses are the backbone of the Inner West economy and community.

Council is determined to support small businesses during this difficult time as they struggle to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.

Council's support for local business complements that available from other levels of government

Vaccination providers

As part of Council's response to COVID-19, Council is supporting vaccination providers (GP practices, medical centres and pharmacies) by temporally allowing the extension of businesses operational hours (subject to submitting a temporary extension of hours application and adherence to certain requirements) to enable more vaccines to be delivered to the Inner West community.

Should you wish to seek a temporary extension of your operational hours for the purpose of providing COVID-19 vaccinations, please submit your request using the link below:

Apply for a temporary extension of hours to provide COVID-19 vaccinations

COVID-19 artwork toolkit for businesses and workplace

The NSW Government has created a toolkit with a selection of artwork that can be printed professionally, or by using an office colour printer. By printing and displaying these posters, signs and stickers, you will be helping to protect the people of your community. Find the toolkit here 

Dine and Discover NSW Program

The NSW Government has launched this program to encourage the community to get out and about to support dining, arts and tourism businesses and stimulate spending.  Residents of the Inner West LGA are now receiving their four x $25 vouchers. In order to accept the vouchers, your business must be registered.

• Dine and Discover NSW
  
• Register Your Business to Participate

$1500 Small Business Rebate Scheme

The NSW State Government has launched a rebate scheme to help cover the cost of NSW and Local Government charges. Small businesses are encouraged to apply online to assess their eligibility and  obtain their rebates

Apply for the $1,500 rebate

Quick links from NSW State Government

The NSW State Government has a range of measures to support local business

• Business Support Webinars
• Changes to Liquor Licensing
• Extended Trading Hours Permitted
• Advisory Services and Skills Workshops
• Keeping people in jobs and businesses in business
• Food Businesses and COVID-19
• Information to help you prepare a Covid Safety Plan and be a Covid Safe Business

Call Service NSW 13 77 88 for further information

Quick links from business.gov.au

Find a range of measures available to small and medium businesses at the links below.

• Cash flow assistance for business
• Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses
• Supporting apprentices and trainees

Call the Business.gov.au support line 13 28 446 for more information.

NSW Food Authority Free COVID-19 Food Service Course

The NSW Food Authority has partnered with NSW Health to develop COVID-19 awareness for food service, which is a free, voluntary online training course to support food businesses in providing a COVID safe environment. The course includes key advice, links to relevant resources and has a quiz at the end. An acknowledgement certificate is generated on completion of the course.

The NSW Premier announced that on 1 June restrictions would be eased for cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs to allow for up to 50 customers, subject to a one person per four square metre rule, and with strict social distancing guidelines in place. All businesses will also be required to develop a COVID-19 safety plan, and to keep records of all staff, customers with a longer contact experience such as dine-in, and contractors for at least 28 days.

While the course has been developed for anyone working in NSW food retail and food service businesses, enrolment is open to everyone. It is hoped that the course will boost consumer confidence in the NSW retail food sector as these businesses gradually return to normal operation.

The COVID-19 awareness for food service training course aims to provide useful information to help food businesses understand the changes that have come into effect and what they need to do. It is not part of the Food Safety Supervisor (FSS) training requirement, and is not an accredited course.

Find further details at the NSW Food Service Authority website

Rates relief for property owners

Ratepayers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 may apply to defer payment of rates.

Find further details on our Rates relief webpage

Promoting local food businesses

Council has established a list of food businesses that are open for takeaway or delivery, and a social media campaign encouraging residents to support their local restaurants and cafes.

Food businesses are encouraged to submit their listing.

Rent relief for Council tenants

Council is already in contact with its tenants, to ascertain if they are suffering financial hardship and to discuss their individual circumstances.

Fee waivers

Council is currently exploring a package of fee waivers for small businesses that may be seeking development approvals or permits. More information to come. 

Council parking services

Parking meters in the main streets of Balmain, Rozelle, Leichhardt, Enmore and Newtown will be switched off by Wednesday 20 October. Notices are being placed on meters today and tomorrow advising of this change.

Parking patrols commenced in residential zones today and will continue.

A transition period will be in place, where warnings are issued for metered or timed parking breaches. Safety matters will be enforced. 

Actions Council already has in place to support small business

• Main Street parking meters in Leichhardt, Rozelle and Balmain shopping strips turned off after 7pm to help the night-time economy
• Abolishing outdoor dining fees, saving local businesses $1.5 million over three years
• Holding regular business forums, events, workshops and mentoring programs

Childcare services

Please contact the Service Coordinator for the centre for information.

General enquiries:

childcareconcerns@innerwest.nsw.gov.au

Community language translations

Council offers a free interpreter service. Talk to someone in your language.

A range of state and federal departments and organisations have translated vital information about how to stay safe in times of COVID-19 in community languages. Please note that not all sites have translated information into all languages.

• NSW Health
• Australian Department of Health
• Victorian State Government
• SBS Coronavirus Portal
• Settlement Council of Australia
• Australian Red Cross

Community support services

Inner West Council staff recognise how important it is to continue to connect with community groups and other not-for-profits and NGOs in the area, to work with these groups so we can better support our vulnerable community members during this difficult period.

We have collated a list or helpful places to find information and support services.

Find further information and support service details

Construction industry support

Construction sites can now operate on weekends and public holidays under new rules introduced by the NSW Government on 2 April to support the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision allows workers to abide by social distancing rules while keeping construction projects progressing by allowing building work to be spread across more days of the week. The change intends to support the construction and development industries, which make up almost 10% of the NSW economy.

Council can now only investigate weekend and public holiday construction complaints if they fall outside the usual weekday construction site operating hours.

Find more information  at the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment website.

Customer service

• Customer Service Centres now open
  Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.

You can report an issue or request a service online, or call 02 9392 5000.

For JP service, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.

Events, meetings and gatherings

Council’s meetings have moved online temporarily and will be live streamed for the community to view.

Registered speakers will be sent a Zoom meeting link to participate.

See the current Council meetings page for more information. 

• Indoor and outdoor pools now open 
• Libraries are now open 
• Environment workshops are being held online. Find out more at the Sustainability workshops webpage .
• The Magic Yellow Bus service has resumed, but will be closing as usual over the festive period. The final day of service is Thursday 16 November 2021, returning on Tuesday 1 February 2022. See the Magic Yellow Bus page for more information.
• Council's indoor venues, including community centres, galleries are now open. 
• Outdoor venues, including parks and sports fields, are open.

General information

Proposed COVID-19 financial assistance for eligible ratepayers

Council is proposing to give a one-time payment of up to $400 to Inner West Council ratepayers who qualify for and have already received a COVID-19 Disaster Payment, as part of its community support program during the pandemic. (Total to be capped at $250,000).

Have your say on the proposal and/or register your intention to apply

Special online community meeting

On 21 July Council hosted a special online event to inform Inner West residents how they can access support and keep safe during the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown.

Guest speakers included Inner West Council General Manager Peter Gainsford and representatives of Sydney Local Health District and Inner West Police Area Command.

A recording of the meeting can be viewed below.

Service NSW Hotline

Service NSW has a 24 hour / 7 day a week hotline on 13 77 88. Service NSW staff can follow up about specific concerns for community members and business operators as well as give general information.

Customer service

• All Customer Service Centres now open
  Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.

You can report an issue or request a service online, or call 02 9392 5000.

For JP service, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.

Health and hygiene

Extra cleaning and hygiene measures have been put in place at all Council facilities. 

JP services

Council's JP services are currently suspended.

Find registered JPs and their contact details in your suburb at the NSW Communities and Justice website.

Some local chemists also offer this service.

Libraries

Libraries are now open: 

• Ashfield, Balmain, Leichhardt and Marrickville Libraries

Monday to Thursday, 9am to 7.30pm
Friday, 9am to 5.30pm
Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm

• Dulwich Hill, Haberfield, Stanmore and St Peters Libraries 

Monday to Wednesday, 10am to 5.30pm
Thursday, 12pm to 7.30pm
Friday, 10am to 5.30pm
Saturday, 10am-4pm

• Find more information on the Inner West Council Library website

Noise complaints

Construction sites can now operate on weekends and public holidays under new rules introduced by the NSW Government on 2 April 2020 to support the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision allows workers to abide by social distancing rules while keeping construction projects progressing by allowing building work to be spread across more days of the week. The change intends to support the construction and development industries, which make up almost 10% of the NSW economy.

Council can now only investigate weekend and public holiday construction complaints if they fall outside the usual weekday construction site operating hours.

Find more information on this change at the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment website.

Council has been experiencing an increase in the number of requests received from the community relating to construction works and routine activities (lawn mowing, music, playing instruments etc).

Whilst we appreciate that a larger number of people are currently working from home and may be unfamiliar with the level of intrusion that works and routine activities can generate, it doesn’t alter the controls in place being either legislative or via an existing approval. As such Council is limited in its ability to respond to these requests where these controls exist.  Find details on Noise and what is permissible

Parking

Parking meters in the main streets of Balmain, Rozelle, Leichhardt, Enmore and Newtown will be switched off by Wednesday 20 October. Notices are being placed on meters today and tomorrow advising of this change.

Parking patrols commenced in residential zones today and will continue.

A transition period will be in place, where warnings are issued for metered or timed parking breaches. Safety matters will be enforced. 

Power grid maintenance

Ausgrid critical maintenance update

Ausgrid have advised that they will be continuing critical maintenance and activities required to ensure community safety and network reliability during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

Find out more at the Ausgrid website.

Public spaces

Council's parks and sports fields are now open for community sport and exercise.

We urge residents to follow the current NSW Public Health order on gatherings and movements and guidelines on social distancing.

Discover the many walks, running and cycling routes available. Read the "Go take a hike" media release

Pets and animals

The OLG acknowledges that the lockdown in Greater Sydney is impacting the ability of pet owners to have their pet desexed by the relevant age (4-months for cats/6-months for dogs), or to lifetime register their pets by the required 6-months of age.   If a pet owner that resides in the Inner West Council area can demonstrate to Council that, due to lockdown in Greater Sydney, they have been unable to desex or register their pet within the required timeframe, Council may apply discretion in charging a late fee.

Please remember, by law, dogs must be on a leash in all public places unless within a designated dog off-leash exercise areas.   If you go out, stay 1.5 metres away from other people at all times, and wash your hands as soon as you get home.

Visit the NSW Health website to stay up to date.

Rates and land tax relief

Ratepayers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 may apply to defer payment of rates.

Find further details on our Rates relief webpage

Land tax relief for those affected by COVID-19 restrictions

Applications are now open for land tax relief or tenancy support payments for eligible commercial and residential landowners who provide rental reductions to tenants in financial distress due to COVID-19.

Residential landlords can choose between applying for land tax relief or a payment of up to $1,500 per tenancy if they agree to reduce the rent for COVID-19 impacted tenants from 14 July 2021 to 31 December 2021.

To be eligible for land tax relief, landowners must be leasing to a commercial tenant who has an annual turnover up to $50 million and is eligible for either the 2021 COVID-19 Business Grant, JobSaver or the COVID-19 Micro-business Grant, or leasing to a residential tenant who has lost 25 per cent or more of household income due to COVID-19

The landowner must have reduced rent for the affected tenant by at least the amount being claimed for any period between 1 July 2021 and 31 December 2021. Both commercial and residential landowners cannot require their tenants to repay the reduced rent they claim through the rebates.

• Applications for land tax relief can be submitted here: COVID-19 land tax relief – Service NSW
• Applications for residential tenancy support can be made here: Residential tenancy support payment – Service NSW

Venues and community centres

Venue hire has resumed in line with the NSW Public Health Guidelines.

Hannaford Community Centre and Annandale Community Centres are now open with their regular opening times. 

For booking enquiries, email bookingsteam@innerwest.nsw.gov.au or phone (02) 9392 5000 and ask to speak to the Venues Booking team.

Waste and recycling

• Council's new booking system for clean ups is now in place.  Find out more at the Council clean-up page. 
• Red, green, blue and yellow bin collections continue. Please check your collection day here
• The Weekend transfer station at Leichhardt and the Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) at Leichhardt and St Peters are open. 

Volunteering

Volunteering NSW have created an Emergency Volunteer Platform for community members who want to volunteer to support people impacted by COVID-19.

Potential volunteers can submit their details to the emergency support volunteer list.

From there, Volunteering NSW will share their details with organisations needing assistance.

If you would like to assist our local community you can also make contact with the following organisations:

• Aboriginal children and families: AbSec
• Addison Road Community Centre
• Asylum Seeker Centre
• Exodus Foundation
• Inner West Neighbour Aid
• Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre
• St Vincent De Paul
• Youth Off the Streets