Customer Service and Wollongong Library to reopen

Wollongong Library and Council’s Administration Building Customer Service Centre will reopen to the public from 9am on Tuesday 9 June.

Council’s focus is, and continues to be on ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of our staff and volunteers, their families and the community – particularly our community’s vulnerable.

While community members are welcomed back to both spaces, there will be changes in place to support the NSW Public Health Order in relation to Coronavirus, and minimising risk associated with the virus.

In our Customer Service Centre, on the ground floor of the Burelli Street, Wollongong, Administration Building, 10 customers will be allowed in at any one time between 9am-5pm. People will not be required to book in to speak with staff, but those with planning applications should continue to submit them online. Enquires of the duty planner will continue to be over the phone only, and the Customer Service team will continue to answer enquires over the phone between 8.30am-5pm, weekdays.

“This has, and continues, to be a challenging time for many in our community who have had to modify the way they go about their day-to-day business and how they may wish to interact with Council, so this step will be welcome news I’m sure,’’ Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“However, I know some people will prefer to continue to use our online or over-the-phone services and they should continue to do so. We’re here to help in a range of ways.

“I do ask those who are planning to come into the Administration Building to be mindful and abide by the social distancing measures. To follow the advice of staff, and the areas that will be marked out as ways to move in and out of the building. We still need to be cautious at this time.’’

Wollongong Library will also open its doors from 9am on Tuesday for those who have booked a 50-minute slot to come into the library. In line with the NSW Public Health Order guidelines there will be limits on the number of people in the facility at any one time. A reduced number of computers will be available, and to support physical distancing guidelines, those using the computers will need to be able to use them without the assistance of staff.

There will be some areas of the library sectioned off to allow technicians completing the library’s lighting upgrade, which is across both floors, to be completed. Staff will be available to direct customers around these areas. People can book their slot directly with the library on 4227 7414, or at one of the other branches which reopened last Tuesday.

“Since reopening last week Wollongong City Libraries have welcomed many people back through their doors and I thank all those who have visited Helensburgh, Thirroul, Corrimal, Unanderra, Dapto or Warrawong libraries for doing the right thing and being mindful of social distancing,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“We were pleased to be able to reopen the doors, and the community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Our community really does love its libraries.’’

Wollongong City Council is currently reviewing what measures would need to be in place for the reopening of Council-run community centres from June 15. We are awaiting the updated NSW Public Health Order, which will outline the restrictions and requirements, and will be in contact with regular hirers to discuss use of the centres.

Community Centres that are licenced to non-profit volunteer community organisations are also waiting for the updated NSW Public Health Order to then consider when and how they might operate. People should contact these centres directly for updates from Monday 15 June.

Wollongong Art Gallery remains closed until July while work is underway to repair damage from the fallen gum tree to the building’s front entrance.