The current Covid-19 outbreak is putting a strain on Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) in-house teams, especially community services like sport and recreation and libraries and parks, CEO Mike Theelen says.

It is also affecting contractors who carry out council services like fixing water leaks, collecting rubbish and recycling, he said, but the council is adapting its staffing and work arrangements to maintain service levels which are as close to normal as possible.

Mike said the public should not see much change to council services at the moment but there may be further changes that “may be more visible over the next few weeks until we’re well over the peak of the outbreak,” Mike said.

“Like any other employer right now, we are seeing staff absences either because our people have contracted the virus or are isolating as household contacts.”

Changes may include reduced opening hours, changed access to different facilities at different times, and reduced frequency of some regular services, he said.

“The situation changes every day and I would advise people to refer to our website and Facebook pages for the latest information. Where we can we’ll also update those affected directly.”

Mike said council’s customer service offices at Gorge Road, Queenstown and Ardmore Street, Wānaka currently remain open to everyone to ensure the whole community has access to a range of in-person services should they need that option.

Mike said services like sport and recreation and libraries and parks were under particular strain.

“We also have a range of services that are available online or via telephone and I would encourage people to use these methods to reduce the risk of community transmission of Covid-19 whenever possible. 

The Snap, Send, Solve mobile app is a great way to send in non-urgent ‘fix it’ requests, he said.

“Our business continuity planning team, drawn from across the whole organisation, has been working since the start of the global pandemic to mitigate its effects on business as usual,” Mike said. 

“I would like to thank each and every one of our employees and contractors for their resilience and flexibility in the face of unprecedented pressure, and also the wider community for their patience and kindness.”