The City of Mount Gambier is supporting eligible community event organisers with signage and cleaning packages up to the value of $1000 to continue to host events during the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with SA Health guidelines.
For any activity where more than 1000 people will gather, SA Health requires a COVID Management plan be submitted and approved by the department. For an activity where less than 1000 people will be present, a COVID safe plan outlining measures to keep staff and patrons safe and minimise the risk of spreading infectious diseases must be lodged.
“While these plans are necessary in this climate, additional financial requirements to provide appropriate signage, cleaning and hygiene products can discourage small groups and clubs from running their annual events,” City of Mount Gambier Events Officer Xarnia Keding said.
The contents of each support package varies in accordance with specific event requirements.
Council will provide corflute signs and vinyl banners reminding people to socially distance, practice good hygiene and wash their hands. These will be reused at each event.
– City of Mount Gambier Events Officer Xarnia Keding
“The packs can also include portable toilets, automatic hand sanitiser dispensers, masks, wipes, hand towels, bin liners, gloves and soap,” Ms Keding said.
The BMX SA 2020 Championships was held at the Blue Lake BMX club from 24 to 27 September 2020, with more than 350 riders and about 1000 people converging on the track.
“We had been working on hosting the championship for the last 18 months but with the COVID outbreak it was beginning to look very difficult,” Blue Lake BMX Club President Stephen Jones said.
“The Council event package has really been the difference between running the event and not running the event. The Blue Lake BMX Club is a not for profit organisation and the cost of extra signage, toilets, sanitising and cleaning equipment would simply mean the money made from the event to help the club grow would simply be lost in trying to purchase extra equipment.”
The Inside Line Downhill Mountain Bike Club will also make use of an event support package at its State Series event which will be held at the Crater Lakes this weekend, 3 to 4 October 2020.
“It’s great to know the City of Mount Gambier is committed to helping us deliver a safe event. It is a generous and valuable package,” Inside Line Downhill Mountain Bike Club committee member Carrie Parton said.
Council’s support for local events is aligned to the three pillars of the ‘Our City, Our Response’ COVID-19 action plan. The event support packages follow Council’s decision in April 2020 to endorse the payment of part or all sponsorship funding for events where a commitment was made before the pandemic.
