COVID-19 Community Support Hub

Eligible Baw Baw Shire residents can now book their COVID-19 vaccination on the phone or online.

Residents can book to have their vaccination at the COVID-19 vaccination centre at The Goods Shed, Warragul (located at the Warragul Railway Station car park off Alfred Street) by:

 Calling the Department of Health Vaccination Hotline on 1800 675 398 or,
Visiting the Victorian booking website.

The Warragul COVID-19 vaccination centre is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays from 9am to 3.30pm and Saturdays 9am - 12pm. 

You can also book to have your vaccination at a participating GP clinic. You can check your eligibility and a list of participating GP clinics at www.health.gov.au 

If deemed eligible, a vaccination provider can be found by clicking on the ‘make a booking’ button that will appear.

If you know someone who does not have access to the internet, or anyone who would prefer to speak to someone about eligibility, please call the National COVID-19 vaccine helpline: 1800 020 080

If you can't get to your appointment, funded travel to and from vaccine appointments is available for anyone who receives government benefits through Centrelink (other than the family tax benefit). To organise your trip call 1800 675 398. 

For information about Council's immunisation programs, please see our immunisations page.

From 11:59pm on Friday 17 September 2021, restrictions in regional Victoria are easing.

• The five reasons to leave the home are removed.
• There will be no limit on the distance regional Victorians can travel from home – other than restrictions on entry to metropolitan Melbourne.
• The Authorised Worker list no longer applies in the regions, meaning most businesses and venues can reopen with capacity and density limits. 
• Regional Victorians return to the rule ‘if you can work from home, you should work from home’ but office workers will be able to return up to 25 per cent or up to 10 people, whichever is greater.
• Regional schools reopen for onsite learning for Prep to Grade 2 and Year 12 students who live in regional Victoria, while remote learning will remain for all other levels.
• Onsite supervision at schools remains available for vulnerable children and children of essential workers in all year levels, including for students from metropolitan Melbourne.
• Funerals permitted for up to 20 people.  
• Weddings permitted for up to 10 people, plus those required to conduct the service.
• Restaurants, hairdressing, entertainment venues and community facilities will also open in line with density limits and patron caps.
• Masks will continue to be required indoors and outdoors, apart from private residences, unless an exemption applies.

For full details on the current restrictions please visit the Coronavirus Victoria - COVIDSafe Settings webpage.

Click here to find out your nearest COVID-19 testing site and its operational hours.

The below information may be superseded by the latest Victorian Government advice. For the latest information, please visit the Coronavirus Victoria website.

Services operating with restrictions 

The following services are currently impacted:

• Customer Service Centres - Closed until further notice.  
• Council managed halls/spaces - Open with density limits in place.
• Markets - Operating with density limits in place.
• Playgroups – Operating in line with public gathering limits.
• Skate parks – Open.
• Outdoor playgrounds – Open. 
• Organised sport – Outdoor community sports are permitted for training only, with the training to be limited to the number of participants only. 
• West Gippsland Arts Centre – Booking office closed until further notice. 
• Swimming pools and fitness centres – Open with density limits.
• Baby capsule hire - not currently available.
• Maternal and Child Health services:
  • Will revert to online appointments.

The following essential aged care services will continue where it is safe to do so:

• Meals - delivered to the home only.
• Transport - trips to essential medical appointments only.
• Domestic assistance and personal care.
• Social Support - phone and online-based services only, group activities suspended.

The following services are not impacted:

• Family Day Care (enhanced safety measures in place).
• Community immunisation sessions.
• Kindergarten enrolments.

Baw Baw Shire Council's Corporate COVID Safe Plan outlines the protocols in place to mitigate the introduction of COVID-19 into Council workspaces during current restrictions set out by the Victorian Government for all staff, contractors and visitors that attend a Council workplace.

Click here to download the Baw Baw Shire Council Corporate COVID Safe Plan(PDF, 374KB) (version 2.1 - updated 6 May 2021).

Click here to download the COVID-19 Facilities and Services Reopening Information Pack.(PDF, 741KB)

In order to protect our community, there are some requirements that need to be met to ensure each facility and program can operate safely. We understand the challenges our community groups, clubs and organisations are facing, and are committed to working with you to support your planning and recommencing activities. 

The COVID-19 Facilities and Services Reopening Information Pack contains important information to assist with the resumption of services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This information applies to all Baw Baw Shire Council owned and managed buildings and spaces whether they are operated directly by Council - which includes Community Asset Committees (formerly known as Section 86 Committees) - or by a third party (which also includes incorporated groups) under agreement.

Baw Baw Shire Council has introduced several support measures to financially assist ratepayers in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Initial support measures include:

• Hardship Policy: If you are the ratepayer of a property in Baw Baw and are experiencing financial hardship then please complete the hardship assistance application form and make arrangements for your rates payments.
• Access to community support programs: Click here for available services and resources.
• Talk to us: If you need additional relief, please contact us as soon as possible to check your eligibility for other supports and make appropriate payment arrangements.

Pensioner Concession Card and Veterans Affairs Gold Card holders may be eligible for further rates and levy concessions through the Victorian Government. For more information visit https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/concessions-and-benefits 

Baw Baw Shire Council has launched a support package to financially assist local businesses in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

For details of the support available, as well as further advice, updates and support to help your business respond to COVID-19, please go to the Coronavirus Business Support page.

If you need help, Council’s Economic Development team is ready to help you navigate through all the information available, obtain the right assistance (from local, State and Federal Governments) and access other support resources. For assistance, call 1300 229 229 or email economic.development@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au.

People are social. Isolation can be hard. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed by everything that's going on, it’s okay to feel this way - and it's okay to get help and support. Whatever your age, background, gender or disability there's support waiting for you.

For an index of support services, please visit the Get Help and Support webpage. On this page you'll find contact information for a wide range of services in Baw Baw Shire.

The below information may be superseded by the latest Victorian Government advice. For the latest information, please visit the Coronavirus Victoria website. 

Council Meetings

Council Meetings are currently being held online. There will be no public access/gallery attendance.

Council meetings will be live-streamed, and archived recordings will be available on Council's website for viewing.

How to make a submission

Council will accept written submissions on any agenda item. Written submissions are to be received by 5.00pm on the Tuesday before the Council Meeting. Submissions can be made via email to via the online form found on this webpage.

Community Members may also contact Council on 5624 2411 and officers will transcribe a submission. Submissions will be limited to 500 words.

The below information may be superseded by the latest Victorian Government advice. For the latest information, please visit the Coronavirus Victoria website. 

Transfer stations

Transfer stations will remain open per normal operation hours.

Residents should only attend when necessary to dispose of their rubbish and follow all State Government restrictions.

Please note that for the safety of all, EFTPOS transactions are the preferred method of payment at all Baw Baw Shire Transfer Stations.

Kerbside waste collection

Kerbside waste collection is continuing as normal.

Soft Plastics

There are no changes to the availability of REDcycle bins in Coles and Woolworths stores.

Bins may be moved occasionally for a variety of reasons, however both Coles and Woolworths remain committed to REDcycle in stores.

If you have any questions, please speak to the Store Manager.