Council Services FAQs

Caring for our ageing community and people living with a disability is a high priority for the City of Whittlesea.

We are adhering to all government and health advice about coronavirus (COVID-19) to ensure essential services to these residents are delivered in a way that keeps our community and our staff safe and healthy.

Will I still get my delivered meals?

Delivered meals are continuing as normal. All clients have been contacted to discuss their current needs and the possibilities of delivering additional meals for freezing. To find out more about these services phone our Intake Officer on 9407 5935.

Can I still access home support?

This service is continuing as normal. We are calling clients to make sure they are ‘well / healthy’ enough to receive their regular service. To find out more about accessing assistance around the home, contact our Intake Officer on 9407 5935.

Can I still access support for carers?

All support for carer programs have been cancelled until further notice.

Are programs for seniors still running?

Events and programs have been moved online where possible.

LEAP golf has returned with modifications.

Can senior’s clubs still meet?

Contact your seniors club to find out if they have returned to in-person meetings.

Are social support/planned activity groups still running?

This program has been suspended until further notice.

Will rangers still collect my pet if it gets out?

Yes our animal ranger services are still operating. You will be able to visit the Epping Animal Welfare Facility to collect a pet that has been brought in. 

How can I register a new pet?

Download the form and submit via email or post or come in to our service centres.

Are dog parks open?

Yes, dog parks are open. 

Is Epping Animal Welfare Facility open?

Yes but you'll need to book an appointment before coming to the shelter and wear a mask indoors.

Creative Communities Fund

We have launched a new grants program, the Whittlesea Creative Communities Fund, that has been designed to provide funding for creative projects to directly respond to the impacts of COVID-19.

Read more about the grant program.

How do I contact the Building and Planning Team?

Many of our building and planning services can be accessed via this webpage. You can also email or post your building or planning application to us or drop in to our service centre in South Morang. If you have any difficulties, please phone 9217 2259, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm or email buildplan@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.

Community grants

We are committed to supporting local community groups and services.

One way we do this is through our annual grant programs where we support community groups deliver local projects and programs.

Like many businesses and organisations, we are adapting to the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19). As a result, we have reviewed our grants program and have refocussed it to supporting community groups as they recover from the pandemic.

How will the grant programs change?

We have simplified its current program by developing four new grants to be accessed by not-for-profit groups operating in the City of Whittlesea:

• Resourcing grant program for the purchase of portable equipment and to pay for essential operating costs.
• Venue hire subsidy for free access to local venues.
• Reactivation grants to engage existing members in new online activities or re-establish previous activities if restrictions allow.
• Reconnection grants to develop and deliver events and activities that are open to the wider community.

Council has also increased its investment in the community grants program by almost $20,000 - from $514,000 (2019/20) to $533,421.

Existing community grants that will continue in 2020/21 include Economic Development Grants, Environmental Works Grants, Senior Citizens’ Club Grants and Female Inclusion in Sport Grants.

Whittlesea Creative Communities Fund

We have launched a new grant program, the Whittlesea Creative Communities Fund, that has been designed to provide funding for creative projects to directly respond to the impacts of COVID-19. Read more on our grants page.

Sports Club Emergency Grants

In response to the impacts of COVID-19, Council has released a Sports Club Emergency Grant program designed to provide financial assistance to local sports clubs. Read more on our grants page.

Permitted activities from 28 October:

• Animal health and welfare
• Support for Business
• Barbecue areas
• Bushfire prevention services
• Cleaning of public spaces including street sweeping
• Construction - in accordance with relevant restrictions
• Corporate support services that cannot be done from home – essential 
• Council meetings
• Customer counters at the Civic Centre and Westfield
• Delivered meals
• Early childhood and kindergarten 
• Epping Animal Welfare Facility - with restrictions
• Emergency asset work
• Emergency response and relief
• Environmental health - essential
• Facilities maintenance - essential
• Family Day Care - open
• Fleet services
• Golf courses
• Home Support
• Immunisation
• Inspections 
• Law enforcement 
• LEAP golf - modified to suit social distancing
• Libraries - open for click and collect
• Maternal & Child Health - for telehealth
• Parks and gardens maintenance 
• Whittlesea Swim Centre for lap swimming from 29 October
• Indoor pools can open for one-on-one hydrotherapy
• Playgrounds
• Recycling facilities
• Roads, drainage and asset maintenance 
• School Crossing supervision
• Skate parks
• Sportsgrounds - for club activities with restrictions
• Tennis courts
• Waste services including bundled branch collection
• Hanson’s Wollert Landfill for public use.

Temporarily closed/cancelled 

• Citizenship ceremonies 
• Community centres
• Council office at Epping Depot
• Plenty Ranges Arts & Convention Centre
• Public events
• Recreation facilities
• Seniors Club meetings 

Are Council meetings still going ahead?

Yes but to help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), council meetings are being conducted remotely. We encourage people to enjoy the convenience of watching council meetings from the comfort of their own home. 

People can watch the Council Meeting live using the City of Whittlesea YouTube channel 

Have Council events been cancelled?

Most in person events and gatherings have been cancelled or moved online. Check our event listings here to find virtual and online events. Visit our new Arts website to find online activities.

Are citizenship ceremonies still happening?

No. Citizenship ceremonies have been cancelled for the rest of 2020 as part of our efforts to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Is the immunisation service running?

Yes. Immunisation is a critical service for our community. We will continue to provide immunisation sessions across the City of Whittlesea. However, strict rules that have been imposed by the Australian and Victorian government on good advice from health experts means that some of our venues are not appropriate for this service. As a result, we have made some changes that will ensure we continue delivering for our community.

How are immunisation services changing?

• All bookings for public immunisation sessions are now done online
• When you attend your session, social distancing measures will be enforced.
• Some changes have to been made to the immunisation timetable with services at some of the locations suspended for the remainder of 2020.

Why have these changes occurred?

The City of Whittlesea, like most organisations, is adapting to the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Immunisation is a critical service and we are making some changes to the way we conduct our public sessions to ensure we can keep our community and our staff safe.

Which venues will no longer have immunisation sessions?

The following venues are too small to be able to safely conduct immunisation sessions during the coronavirus pandemic:

• Jindi Family and Community Centre in Mernda
• Lalor Library
• Mill Park Community Centre
• Hazel Glen Child and Family Centre in Doreen

As a result, immunisation sessions at these venues have suspended for 2020.

Where can people still receive immunisations?

Families can still attend sessions at:

• Galada Community Centre in Epping
• Mill Park Baptist Church
• Council Civic Centre in South Morang
• Mernda Village Community Activity Centre
• Thomastown library

A revised timetable is available here.

What additional measures are in place at the venues?

Once you arrive at the venue, you will be asked to wait in your car until your appointment time.

• One parent or guardian to accompany a child for their immunisation appointment

Please do not attend an immunisation session if you or your child:

• is unwell in any way

Workplace immunisation

Community immunisation is our priority. To ensure we can meet these needs as best we can, we have suspended our flu vaccination service for workplaces. You will still be able to receive a flu vaccine, once they are available, at a community immunisation session.

Even though community centres are shut, you’ll still be able to access them for immunisation sessions.

Read more about public immunisations sessions.

Are kindergartens open?

Yes, childcare and kindergartens are open to everyone.

More information is available on the Victorian Government's webpage.

How do I enrol my child in kindergarten?

Enrolment can be made by email, online or phone. Visit this webpage for more information.

Yarra Plenty Regional Library branches are open, with restrictions in place.

For opening times and more information, visit www.yprl.vic.gov.au.

What is the current status of Maternal and Child Health services?

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) appointments are available face to face, or by telephone if preferred. 

Current services:

• Open consultations and breastfeeding support are available as drop-in sessions
• The First Time Parent Group will run face to face, subject to conditions, from January 2021
• Sleep and Settling and The Infant Program are offered by telephone consultation

Conditions of entry for face-to-face appointments are:

• Parents and carers are required to wear a face mask and observe social distancing measures
• Bring a light blanket to cover the scales
• All nappies, wipes and other waste is to be taken home as items cannot be disposed of at our centres
• Please be on time for your appointment as times are limited to allow us to meet COVID Safe criteria. If late, call 9404 8888 to reschedule
  
  PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND THE CENTRE if you or your child have had contact with anyone who has been diagnosed or is being tested for COVID-19, or if you or your child have experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 24 hours: Headache, fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell or any other flu-like symptoms.

  If you have a phone appointment, your nurse will call you at your appointment time.

If you are concerned, please call the 24-hour MCH line on 13 22 29. 

Why have some of my MCH appointments moved to a phone consultation?

 To help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has advised councils in Victoria to conduct some MCH appointments by phone. 

Will the MCH nurse call me?

Yes. Your MCH nurse will call you at your booked appointment time. Please note that the call may come up on your phone as a private number. 

How does a phone consultation work?

The move to MCH phone consultations will still allow us to assess that your child is growing and healthy, and we will talk to you more about this at your first phone consultation.

Is there an app I can use?

There is an excellent Maternal and Child Health App you can download which allows you to plot your baby’s growth and weight. Your MCH nurse will be able to talk you through using this. 

Here's more information about the app:

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/maternal-and-child-health-app

How do I make a payment?

Most payments can be made on this webpage or by posting a cheque or money order. Building and planning payments can be made over the phone: 9217 2259. You can also pay at our service centre in South Morang.

Are playgrounds and skateparks closed?

Playgrounds, skateparks and outdoor gym equipment is open.

Barbecues in parks are open.

Are sportsgrounds closed?

Sportsgrounds are open to the community and will begin reopening to sports clubs as government restrictions allow.

What about sporting clubs?

Sport and sports grounds will open in line with government restrictions.

Is mowing and gardening still continuing?

Yes, Council is continuing to provide essential services including maintaining our City, this includes mowing. 

Is my kerbside collection still continuing?

Yes, it is an essential service. 

We know there are more cars than usual parked in local streets right now with many people working, or just staying, at home. To help our drivers get to your bins, please make sure they are placed on the kerb away from any obstructions.

Is the rubbish tip still open?

Hanson’s Wollert Landfill has reopened to the public. No cash accepted.

If you are unwell, do not attend.

The recycling facility at 480 Cooper Street Epping is open. Please note, masks are to be worn at all times. Customers are to remain in their vehicles with masks on at the weighbridge and will be directed by weighbridge staff. 

Kerbside bin collections are continuing as normal.

What about hard waste collections?

There is no change to our hard waste collection service at this time.