Porirua City services and outdoor recreation at Alert Level 3
As
the nation moves into Covid-19 Alert Level 3, Porirua City has reviewed the
government guidelines on recreation activities and is happy to advise that more
options are now available.
These
include mountain biking, tennis and other court sports.
Mayor
Anita Baker says the guidelines have always been about keeping people safe,
stopping the spread of Covid-19 and avoiding tying up emergency services.
“We
know lots of people have been keen to get out and bike the trails on Rangituhi
and now, under Alert Level 3, you can – if you’re experienced and know the
tracks. As the Prime Minister has said, this isn’t the time to take up a new
hobby.”
The
following changes to outdoor recreation apply from today:
Mountain bike tracks:
Mountain
biking is okay if you are experienced and know the trail. Stick to easy trails.
Make sure you maintain a two metre
distance from other people.
Sports fields and outdoor courts:
Stay
in your bubble. Team sports or training outside of your bubble are not allowed.
Avoid using any common equipment touched by people from outside your bubble.
It will take some time for us get around the city removing signs, chains and padlocks so please be patient while this happens.
As already advised, there won’t be
huge changes to other Council services and facilities under Level 3, apart from the
following:
Cemeteries:
- Funerals will be able to go ahead at our cemeteries but
limited to 10 people (excluding Council staff). This applies to services only –
no meals, food or receptions can take place. Physical distancing and infection
prevention and control requirements must be in place and a record of attendees
kept in case contact tracing is needed.
- The gates will remain locked at cemeteries.
Spicer Landfill and recycling:
- Spicer
Landfill opens at 7am on Wednesday 29 April and will be open daily from 7am to
4pm. We expect it to be busy and patience will be needed.
- There will be systems in place for physical distancing, contactless payment (no cash) and contract tracing.
- Trash Palace and the bulk recycling centre remain closed.
- There’s no change to recycling
services – we will collect mixed recycling but as the sorting centre is closed
it will go to landfill for the time being. Glass is being recycled.
Animal control:
- The animal pound is still closed to the public, but our
animal control officers will respond to calls about roaming dogs. This is in in
addition to the essential services we have been operating at Level 4.
Parking:
- There will be no active parking enforcement but we will
respond to complaints.
Building inspections:
- We will carry out building inspections provided a control
plan is in place on site.
Resource consent enforcement:
- Site visits will start for monitoring and compliance.
Resource consent planning:
- Site visits will start, and other staff will continue to
work remotely. Virtual hearings will be held for resource consents.
Noise control:
- Our officers will respond to urgent calls.
- Police will not attend noise calls unless there is a breach
of an Excessive Noise Direction, an escalated incident (such as threatening
behaviour), or the noise is associated with a suspected breach of requirements
relating to gatherings of people.
All site visits will be subject to strict Covid-19 safety
requirements. Any staff accessing council sites or other premises will follow
strict health and safety protocols including handwashing and sanitising,
signing in and physical distancing.
Other services that have been closed or suspended during
Alert Level 4 will not change under Alert Level 3. These include:
- Dogs must be on a lead at all times when out, even in areas
that are usually off-leash.
- Dog parks are closed.
- Playgrounds are closed.
- Skate parks are closed.
- Parks and open spaces are open for walking, but stay in your
bubble and keep two metres from others.
- Libraries, pools, Pātaka and Te Rauparaha Arena are closed.
- Council buildings are closed.
For more information on council services under Level 3 visit
poriruacity.govt.nz/covid
28 Apr 2020
