Business Continuity Plans for COVID-19

Goondiwindi Regional Council is working on its plan to ensure business continuity throughout the Coronavirus pandemic - and is encouraging local businesses to do the same.

Council has already begun preparations to ensure that essential services, such as waste and water, can continue uninterrupted. It is also following Federal and State advice to mitigate any potential disruption that COVID-19 may cause to its business and workplaces.

Council-owned facilities such as the libraries and cinema currently remain open, but this may change as the situation unfolds. For Council services, residents are encouraged to contact Council’s customer service via phone (07 4671 7400) or email (mail@grc.qld.gov.au) in the first instance and are reminded that numerous services can be completed online through Council’s website: www.grc.qld.gov.au.

The Australian Government and Queensland Health are the lead agencies responsible for responding to COVID-19. Residents are encouraged to stay informed of the latest advice to help keep our community safe.

Mayor Graeme Scheu has encouraged a calm and considered approach to the current situation and is advising residents and local businesses to begin planning now if they have not already done so.

“The situation is constantly evolving and we have to be prepared for the fact that updates will happen quickly and the situation will change from day to day, Cr Scheu said today.

“We just don’t know what the impact of this virus will be so the best advice we can give for residents and businesses alike is to be prepared and try to limit disruption as much as we can.

“Get a plan in place now and be ready to act on it. For businesses, it doesn’t have to be extra paperwork but it might just be a conversation with your employees. Give some thought about the key ways your business might be affected and what you can do to mitigate that.

“Residents might want to think about ways to reduce risk to family members who are more vulnerable. So think who can perhaps work from home, what meetings can be phone calls? Do some scenario planning, what if you’re the one that has to self-isolate?”

As well as ensuring good hygiene practices across its offices and worksites, Council will also be working with its staff and partners over the coming days to explore what changes can be made to help “flatten the curve” of the spread of the virus.

Council advises local businesses to consider the following as a minimum:

• How can you best reduce health risks to your staff and clients?
• How can you ensure access to critical supplies if the usual method of production or delivery is disrupted?
• How will your business be impacted if key staff are absent or required to self-isolate?

For more information, visit www.business.gov.au and www.health.qld.gov.au.

For more information, please contact:
Councillor Graeme Scheu
Mayor
Goondiwindi Regional Council
Mobile: 0427 718 877
Email: mayor@grc.qld.gov.au