Covid-19 has halted many, but not all, services in our city.
As the Government moves the country to the COVID-19 pandemic’s Alert Level 4 tomorrow, the implications for Porirua and New Zealand are widespread.
In Porirua the services still up and running, following Government guidelines, are: food (like supermarkets), medicine (such as pharmacies) and lifeline utilities, energy, fuel, waste removal, internet and financial support services.
All public facilities in the city have closed. These include everything at Te Rauparaha Arena, such as Arena Fitness and Arena Aquatics, Pātaka, Cannons Creek Pool, and all halls and libraries.
As a Council we are following what the Government has directed in terms of community movement, so many employees will work from home. However, some services are still running, including wastewater, stormwater, rubbish and recycling, animal control, our contact centre, finance, payroll and some roading activities.
Some staff whose normal work can’t be done from home will be redeployed to help in other areas of Council.
To prevent the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Council will close the front counter of its main building in Cobham Court from 5pm on Wednesday 25 March. Until then, services such as paying rates and buying rubbish bags will continue to be available.
After 5pm tomorrow, please use internet banking to pay for anything Council-related. This can be found at: https://poriruacity.govt.nz/services/rates-property/rates/paying-rates/
Rubbish bags can still be bought from supermarkets. Rubbish and recycling collection will continue – for further updates on this (as things can change quickly), please keep checking the Council’s Facebook page and COVID-19 webpage.
Water tanks can be purchased by paying for them at the customer service centre and then picked up at the Council Depot in Prosser St until 3pm, Wednesday 25 March.
Building inspections and compliance activities have stopped.
To prevent the risk of COVID-19 exposure to customers and staff, Spicer Landfill will be closed to residents dropping off rubbish and green waste from 5pm today, Tuesday 24 March. This also includes tyres, oil and LPG bottles.
The bulk recycling facility opposite Trash Palace will remain open, while the landfill will still be open to commercial account holders.
Trash Palace will be closed.
Due to the closure of the recycling processing plant in Seaview, all mixed recycling will for the time being be going to landfill, as there is no room to stockpile this. Glass will continue to be kept for recycling.
For all Government updates please see covid19.govt.nz and health.govt.nz. To keep up with local developments check our website poriruacity.govt.nz and the Council Facebook page.
24 Mar 2020
