Community Response

Last updated: 6 April 2020

Council's Covid Care Compendium

We have prepared an information pack containing important information regarding COVID-19 and our community response. If you know anyone without internet access, or have any elderly neighbours or family members who are uncomfortable using the internet, please print out this document for them. Alternatively, contact council on (07) 4658 4111 and we will arrange for a copy to be printed for you.

Download our Covid Care Compendium

Business

Many businesses in our region remain open while observing strict social-distancing measures. A number of restaurants and grocery stores have commenced take-away and home-delivery services. To keep you up to date, Longreach Regional Enterprise has compiled a useful COVID-19 business guide. The Barcaldine Business Retention and Expansion Group have produced a similar guide for Barcaldine.

Download the Longreach Regional Enterprise COVID-19 Business Directory

Other Services

Longreach Home and Community Care (HACC) are making regular calls to their at-risk clients. If you're interested in their services call (07) 4658 0114.

Longreach Meals on Wheels continue to coordinate deliveries. Want to help? Call 0428 272 600 or email longreachmealsonwheels@gmail.com.

Longreach Post Office is acting as a drop point for any donations you may want to make. In turn, they are communicating with local care organisations to identify where these donations will be most appropriately distributed.

They'll also take care of distribution through their own delivery network.

As suggestions, consider non-perishable items or cleaning products. Please also think about the mental health of those who have been isolated - perhaps send a card, or a letter or some other little personal item just to let people know they're in our thoughts.

If you have something to donate and you'd rather not go out, you can ring them and they'll organise a pick up: (07) 4658 1887

Microsoft Office 365 for Nonprofits is available for free to eligible not-for-profit organisations in Australia. Is your organisation ready to make the most of Microsoft's latest cloud services?

Take to the cloud with Microsoft Office 365 and provide your staff and volunteers with much more than an updated version of Microsoft Office. Take a new approach to your IT with Office 365 and give your staff access to business-grade email, file sharing, communications and much more thanks to Microsoft. 

Microsoft is also offering its Microsoft Teams software free until Jan 2021.

The NBN has produced these tips and FAQs for working from home.

Telstra has added this page detailing support for customers impacted by COVID-19.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) is offering free membership for twelve months

Queensland Government Community Advice

Be self-reliant

Plan for a possible period of quarantine or self-isolation.

Ensure that you have adequate supplies of food, medication and essential items.

Rely on your family, friend, or neighbours.

Maintain contact with your personal network.

Use on-line delivery services for food and medication where possible.  Food shops and chemists are making on-line purchasing available.

Ask friends, family members or neighbours to assist by arranging delivery of essential items to your home – ensure you keep a safe distance.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) clients and aged care clients

If you are receiving NDIS or My Aged Care services contact your service provider to seek support in the first instance.

Alternatively, you can call:

  • the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
  • the NDIS Contact Centre on 1800 800 110
  • the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422
  • the National Relay Service Helpdesk on 1800 555 660.

If you have no other means of getting food or essential items, call 1800 173 349

People who have no other means of support can call the Community Recovery Hotline for assistance.

The hotline has been activated by the Queensland Government to assist people who have been advised to quarantine at home by a medical professional, Queensland Health or through government direction and have no other mechanisms for support.

Their staff will be able to work with partner organisations to arrange non-contact delivery of essential food and medication to people in quarantine with no other means of support.

The Community Recovery Hotline can be contacted on 1800 173 349.

Queenslanders who require health advice or information while in quarantine or self-isolation should continue to call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or visit the Queensland Health website.

If you need information about the Australian Government’s support for people impacted by COVID-19, including Economic Support Payments and allowances for people who are in self-quarantine and can’t work, visit the Services Australia website or call 132 468.