Council facilities are still off limits despite easing of COVID-19 restrictions

Picnics, bushwalks and boating are all allowed from this weekend, but there are many Brisbane City Council facilities that will remain off limits.

Foreshore dog off-leash areas being trailed in Brisbane remain open: Eddie and his dog Benji take a walk at Nudgee Beach. Picture: Renae Droop

PICNICS, bushwalks and boating are all allowed from this weekend, but there are many Brisbane City Council facilities that will remain off limits.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a relaxation of some COVID-19 restrictions from this Saturday, due to Queensland’s low rates of infection.

But a Brisbane City Council spokesman said there are currently no plans to reopen council facilities, closed about a month ago, following advice from the Chief Health Officer.

Brisbane BMX tracks - like this one on Telegraph Rd, Fitzgibbon - remain closed. Picture: Michelle Smith

This means the city’s nearly 150 fenced dog off-leash areas are still off limits, along with public outdoor gyms, skateparks, playgrounds, exercise equipment, basketball facilities, BMX tracks, barbecues, council pools and libraries.

“Brisbane City Council is being guided by Queensland’s Chief Health Officer on the reopening of all Council facilities,” the council spokesman said.

“Currently there are no changes planned ahead of the long weekend and Queensland Health has not yet provided a timetable for the proposed re-opening of council facilities.

“Council encourages everyone to continue following the restrictions in place to keep themselves and others safe.”

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The spokesman said no council public toilets had been closed due to coronavirus, except for toilets within closed facilities such as City Hall and libraries. Soap dispensers are available in all council public toilets.

Although fenced dog off-leash areas remain closed, foreshore dog off-leash areas being trialled at Nudgee Beach, Sandgate/Shorncliffe and Manly, while designated unfenced dog off-leash areas (such as those at Kedron Brook) remain open.

Council facilities closed due to COVID-19:

■ All Brisbane City Council’s multiple use games arenas, netball, basketball, half courts, tennis courts not on a lease and rebound walls

■ Outdoor gyms, skateparks, playgrounds, exercise equipment, BMX tracks, barbecues and enclosed off-leash dog parks

■ Council Environment Centres - Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre, Downfall Creek Bushland Centre and the Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre

■ All community halls and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

■ All 33 libraries, but the online library is still available

■ Community composting hubs

■ City Hall is closed to the public

■ Front counters at Council’s cemeteries and crematoriums.

Activities permitted from Saturday due to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions include:

■ Go for a leisurely drive (within 50km of home)

■ Ride a motorbike, jetski or boat for recreation

■ Have a picnic

■ Visit a national park

■ Shop for non-essential items.

But people will have to stay in their household groups, or meet up with one person only if they are by themselves, and observe social distancing.