This page will be updated daily, as new information on Council services, facilities and events becomes available. This information is subject to change, based on government advice.
If you have questions, please call us on 5036 2333, email council@swanhill.vic.gov.au or chat to us online during business hours (click on the question at the bottom right of your screen to start chatting).
- Big Green Shed at Swan Hill Landfill (all other landfill and transfer station operations are open as normal)
- Community centres at Lake Boga, Manangatang, Nyah and Woorinen South, PLUS senior citizens centres at Swan Hill and Robinvale.
- Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum
- Pioneer Settlement (except the post office, which will continue to operate)
- Robinvale Community Arts Centre
- Robinvale Leisure Centre
- Robinvale Visitor Information Centre
- Swan Hill Leisure Centre
- Swan Hill Stadium
- Swan Hill Town Hall (see Event updates for show information)
- Swan Hill YouthInc
Robinvale Resource Centre
Face-to-face services will only be available for Centrelink and VicRoads enquiries.
Council staff are still working. We are doing our best to provide important local services and to answer your questions during this time.
Please email us council@swanhill.vic.gov.au with your enquiries, or phone the Robinvale Resource Centre – 5051 8000. We now have web chat available on our website too – you can chat to our staff during business hours.
Business support
In the current rapidly changing environment we want to ensure local businesses have access to the latest reliable information.
Please contact our Economic Development Unit for information on 5032 3033 or email us ecodev@swanhill.vic.gov.au
Business Victoria also has a dedicated COVID-19 Hotline 13 22 15 along with online resources at business.vic.gov.au
Community care services
Operating as normal are domestic assistance, personal care, respite care and property maintenance.
Meals on Wheels
Swan Hill township– To ensure Meals on Wheels continues to vulnerable people during COVID-19, Council is changing the way delivery takes place. These changes are being made to reduce the risk to volunteers and clients.
We are asking volunteers not to assist with Meals on Wheels deliveries. Volunteers are a crucial part of the ongoing Meals on Wheels program, and will continue to be after the COVID-19 situation ends.
We look forward to welcoming them back, and thank them for their understanding. Council has been in consultation with Swan Hill Rotary Club, who have assisted with planning these temporary changes.
Meals will be delivered each weekday between 11.45am and 1.30pm. Individual times may vary within that time.
This change is only temporary during the COVID-19 situation. If you have any questions please contact Community Care 5036 4700.
Robinvale and Manangatang– Meals on Wheels in the Robinvale and Manangatang areas is provided by Robinvale District Health Services. Please contact them with any queries.
Playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gym equipment are open
Please remember when attending these facilities, people should not gather in groups of more than 20 and stay 1.5 metres apart from others where possible.
Immunisations
Extra precautions will be implemented at monthly immunisation sessions in Swan Hill.
Anyone wanting to attend Council’s immunisation sessions at Swan Hill Town Hall must book first by calling Council’s Public Health Unit 5036 2591.
- To ensure social distancing is maintained, pre-booked time slots will be allocated.
- Only one parent or guardian should accompany the child who is to be vaccinated.
- Community members attending will be asked to use the hand sanitiser provided on entry and extra precautions will be in place around infection control between appointments.
- Immunisations session times have been extended to allow additional time, and to ensure that Council is able to continue immunising as many children as possible across the community.
Maternal Child Health
- MCH appointments can now be offered to families face to face for up to 30 minutes.
- All new babies will be offered home visits where possible.
- All families with current appointments can expect a phone call from the service to confirm if they prefer a face to face visit or if they would like to continue with a telehealth / telephone call instead.
- Families who wish to attend the centres in person must complete telephone screening questions within 24 hours prior to attending the centre. Our administrative staff will call you to confirm appointment or you can call ahead if preferred.
- There is no waiting room at the centre. Clients will be asked to wait in their cars until receiving a telephone call from the attending staff member to come into to the centre.
- Adults will be asked to use hand sanitiser prior to entry ( which is located at each door of the centre) and upon leaving.
- Face to face visits will be limited to one parent and one child attending where possible. As always if you or your child is unwell please do not attend our well baby centres, instead seek medical advice as appropriate.
- Families will continue to have 24-hour access to the Maternal Child Health Hotline on 132229.
Library services
The Swan Hill Regional Library is available for click and collect services.
Customers can request library materials either online or over the phone.
For more information, or to start borrowing contact the Swan Hill Regional Library on 5036 2480.
Swan Hill Regional Livestock Exchange
Sheep and cattle sales are continuing at Swan Hill Regional Livestock Exchange for the moment, and this is subject to government advice and any further restrictions.
We are asking general public not to come to the sales. This includes occasional buyers, vendors and observers. Occasional buyers are asked not to attend, and should instead speak to their agent about buying direct.
Entry will be restricted to agents, buyers and sale staff, to ensure social distancing and to reduce the risk. We will record the details of all those who do enter, to allow for traceability, if needed.
These temporary restrictions allow us to maintain social distancing and to continue operating sales during this pandemic.
Waste collection - kerbside
Kerbside waste collection is continuing on as normal, but we’re asking a few favours to help it run smoothly…
- Please put your bin out the night before it is due for collection (scheduled collection days are the same as normal)
- Be aware that it might not be collected at the normal time, but it will be collected. We thank you for your patience.
- Please put your bin out facing the road and on the correct side of the road – drivers will not be expected to get out of their truck to rotate or move bins.
- Drivers are working in closed truck cabins and will not have contact with residents – this it to protect them and the residents.
Landfills
Landfills and transfer stations are still open, but please think about whether you really need to visit.
If you do, you must maintain a safe distance from all staff and from other landfill visitors – that is a minimum of 1.5 metres.
This is especially important when interacting with weighbridge attendants, who are at most risk.
Out of School Hours
The Out of School Hours program is operating. The Federal Government has announced the new Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package, which applies to Out of School Hours care.
You can find out more about it from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment
If you have any questions, please call the team on 0409 236 541.
This program has been suspended for now for the safety of volunteers and young people.
Social Support Services (through Community Care)
Social support services, including regular social groups and outings, have been suspended. Clients will be contacted via phone.
Any unpaid 2019/20 rates for those in the Commercial sector will be deferred for six months, interest free. This includes Rates, the Fire Services Property Levy and the Marketing Levy. This will be reviewed in three months and may be extended.
Commercial property owners do not have to do anything for this deferral to apply.
Other rates - special consideration
We understand that ratepayers in other sectors (including Farm, Residential, Industrial and Recreational) might also be impacted by COVID-19. These ratepayers can apply for special consideration due to their individual circumstances. Special consideration includes a range of options including partial or full deferral of unpaid rates. Applications for special consideration will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
We have created a simple form that you can use to apply for special consideration – find it here
Out of School Hours
The Out of School Hours program is operating. The Federal Government has announced the new Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package, which applies to Out of School Hours care.
You can find out more about it from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment
If you have any questions, please call the team on 0409 236 541.
Disabled parking permits
If you have a disabled parking permit that’s due for renewal, we don’t want you going to the GP during COVID-19 just for a signature. We are waiving this requirement for any renewal due between now and December.
If you want changes to your permit, or you’re applying for new permit, you will still need to get a GP’s signature.
We will continue posting renewal forms/letters when they are due and all the information about this change will be provided then.
If you have questions in the meantime, please call our Regulatory Services team – 5036 2346.
Footpath trading permits
Businesses need a footpath trading permit to put signs, merchandise and seating at the front of their shops on local footpaths.
In light of COVID-19 we will waive footpath trading permit fees for the next 12 months. (If you have already paid for a three-year permit, we will extend your permit for an extra 12 months).
If you are still trading and require a permit, we will still need your application form and a copy of your public liability insurance.
Application forms and a cover letter explaining this change will be sent to all existing permit holders this month.