Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Blacktown City Council – COVID-19 Response

17 March 2020

Blacktown City Council is embarking on a series of measures

and actions in the interests of the health and wellbeing of 

residents in response to the global COVID-19 (coronavirus) 

pandemic.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said; “Council 

has a duty of care to the community and our staff and we are 

fully committed to take whatever action we can to slow the 

spread of the virus in our region.

“Based on the lessons we've learned from overseas, we 

must act quickly and decisively, or many lives will be lost.

“We need to slow the infection rate and the most effective 

approach is through ‘social distancing’ which includes 

avoiding crowds, meetings and gatherings, staying home if 

you are sick, working from home, giving people ‘space’ and 

most importantly practising good personal hygiene.

“Under this approach, the pandemic will last longer, but 

health outcomes will be far better.

“While Government restrictions apply to public gatherings of 

500 or more people, Council has decided to recommend that 

all non-essential large gatherings, meetings and events in 

Blacktown City be cancelled or postponed.

“Council will take the lead in this by cancelling or postponing 

all non-essential gatherings, events and meetings that come 

under Council control,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

Council will cancel the Citizenship ceremony scheduled for 

Thursday 19 March in Bowman Hall in Blacktown and 

postpone the Community Forum planned for Marsden Park 

this Saturday, 21^st March in the Elara estate.

“While halting these events is a big disappointment for 

residents and Council alike, the health and wellbeing of the 

community must be our number one priority during these 

difficult times,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

The Community Forum had been planned to spotlight major 

transport, health and education infrastructure deficiencies 

that have impacted Marsden Park and surrounding suburbs.

“While we are totally behind the residents with their justified 

concerns it would be irresponsible for Council to go ahead 

with a large public gathering at this time,” Mayor Bleasdale 

said.

Council has also cancelled the Blacktown Night Markets 

Friday 27^th March, the Seven Hills Festival Saturday 28 

March and the ‘design-a-park’ meeting Saturday 21 March at 

the corner of Fourth avenue and Prince Street, Blacktown.

Mayor Bleasdale is recommending that all large, non-

essential gatherings, events and meetings should be 

cancelled or postponed.

“We will be cancelling or postponing all bookings for 

Bowman Hall for the next two months.

“We are also urging residents and businesses to adopt 

‘social distancing’ in their day-to-day activities. That is, make 

some space in restaurants, shops and entrainment venues, 

avoid crowds and, where possible, crowded public 

transport.”  

Blacktown City Council is also taking preventative measures 

within Council operations to safeguard staff and the general 

public.

Council staff will be encouraged, where practicable, to work 

from home and non-essential meetings will be cancelled or 

held online or by phone.

Council staff are being told that they should not attend work 

and seek immediate medical advice if they have symptoms 

of cold or flu. 

“We advise all businesses, where possible, to adopt similar 

practices,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

Council will embark on an extensive public health campaign 

at all its venues, offices, on its website and on social media 

emphasising the importance of personal hygiene and 

advising people of the actions they should take to protect 

themselves and to help slow the spread of the virus.

For updates on cancellations of Council events go to: www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au

For health advise on COVID-19 go to: www.health.gov.au/covid19-resources




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