Impact on Council Services

Reminder: Facemasks are now mandatory for all those aged 8 and over to wear when entering any Council facility unless you have a valid exemption.

Update: Only patrons over the age of 18 are now required to show proof of double vaccination status upon entering a Council facility. Those under 18 years of age are no longer required to show proof.

Patrons attending Council community facilities listed below will be required to provide proof of double COVID-19 vaccination upon check in from Monday 25 October 2021, in line with new directions issued by the Victorian Government.

Essential services including the Customer Service Centres located at Brown Street and Market Place, all Shire Transfer Stations, Maternal Child Health and Home Support Services remain unchanged and patrons do not need to show vaccination status to access these services.

It’s terrific that more restrictions have eased and that we are moving back to doing more of what we love. As part of doing so, the Victorian Government’s roadmap requires certain businesses and venues to ask patrons aged 18 and over to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. If you are asked to show proof of vaccination status, please be kind and cooperate. Staff are simply doing their job by asking so please be patient and kind while the process is completed.

Below are a few frequently asked questions in relation to vaccination certificates.

It’s important to understand that this direction has come directly from the Victorian State Government in relation to the latest health advice issued from the Chief Health Officer. The direction has been introduced to help reduce the spread of the virus within our community and to keep people safe.

Yes. Under the latest direction, Council staff are legally required to check vaccination status. Individuals and the organisation face fines if this is not actioned.

No. Council staff will not store copies or note down your immunisation history.

No. We are currently enduring unprecedented times and are operating under pandemic guidelines. It is a requirement that Council must check vaccination status for those over the age of 18. It is not about discriminating against an individual or group. The State Government has been very clear that there is only one valid reason for non-vaccination and that is on medical grounds - which will absolutely be accepted once shown via the same process as providing vaccination certificate.

It is a requirement for all Southern Grampians Shire Council staff to be fully vaccinated to maintain employment with Council.

An appropriate medical exemption will be accepted if it has a valid date (no older than six months old). Council staff do not need/nor will ask for your private medical history - they just need to see the exemption.

Everyone over the age of 18 MUST provide proof of double vaccination or a valid medical exemption. Children under the age of 18 are not required to provide vaccination status.

Yes. If a parent/guardian accompanies a minor to one of the aforementioned Council facilities or events, the accompanying parent/guardian MUST show proof of double vaccination.

Yes. If the event has been organised or hosted by the Council facility, attendees will be subject to the same requirements as if they were attending the actual facility. For example this direction applies to entry into the Mobile Library as is a function of the Greater Hamilton Library. Same goes for offsite fitness classes managed by HILAC.

Unfortunately until you have received your second vaccination dose and can show a certificate – you will have to wait until you have been fully vaccinated before entering the facility. We look forward to welcoming you back to our facilities at that time.

You can still pay your accounts online and we encourage you to continue to do this whilst we are working on other methods such as direct debit.

Emailing of invoices is also a priority for Council so you get your accounts faster and so that we can communicate with you more efficiently. Please provide your email address if you haven’t already.

For more account information for individual groups of debtors please see the below:

Paying your accounts at Council

Click here for local business support and information during COVID-19.