WHILE the COVID-19 pandemic has raised major challenges for the Gannawarra Shire Council, some areas of council operation are still business as usual, according to CEO Tom O’Reilly.
Speaking after last week’s council meeting, Mr O’Reilly said construction and maintenance is going ahead as usual in the shire, with federally-funded drought-relief projects also on track.
“The drought projects we are pushing through with, and we are still quite confident we will be able to deliver on the bulk of that program, despite the challenging circumstances,” he said.
Mr O’Reilly said the council was continuing to engage with community groups backing nearly 50 projects across the shire that are being funded under the first round of the federal government’s drought extension program.
Council staff were working mainly by phone to engage contractors, he said, with some community volunteers also taking a direct role in progressing the projects.
“I think as a council the areas of construction and maintenance – those type of areas are less impacted,” Mr O’Reilly said. “They are continuing pretty much business as usual.
“It’s more the human and community contact areas that are much more challenged in terms of libraries, childcare centers, home care – those type of services.”
Mr O’Reilly said council staff had rallied in the face of the crisis, with the IT department going “above and beyond” to get staff set up for online work, and staff developing initiatives such as online storytime sessions for library users.
“Nothing is perfect, but like everyone, we’re trying to do the best we can, we are trying to come up with innovative ways to still keep connected with people and deliver a service,” he said.
Mr O’Reilly said the council’s economic development group had also been working hard to pass information from both state and federal governments to local businesses.
