Council facilities including venues, holiday parks set to reopen with social distancing conditions

The Sunshine Coast is open for business and looking forward to welcoming visitors.

"We said we would roll out the welcome mat when it was safe to do so, and that is what the Sunshine Coast is now doing," Sunshine Coast Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group Chair Mark Jamieson said.

Many of council's popular facilities will reopen this week, with restrictions on patron numbers and ongoing social distancing and hygiene requirements in place.

This decision follows the State Government's announcement on Sunday, 31 May that it would be fast tracking its Stage 2 easing of restrictions roadmap following the successful implementation of Stage 1 last month.

Mayor Jamieson said community safety was the key priority as part of its recovery planning and decision to bring forward the reopening of more of its facilities.

"After careful consideration, council will reopen more facilities to provide additional opportunities for our community as well as inviting visitors from across Queensland back to our wonderful region."

"The bring-forward of the Stage 2 easing of restrictions will I am sure, be greatly welcomed by our community as they have the opportunity to move around and re-connect with some of their favourite local facilities, services and experiences.

"Importantly, it will help provide a welcome boost to our regional economy and to local businesses and enable more people to return to work.

"Residents and visitors to council facilities will however, need to adhere to the 20 person maximum outlined by the Queensland Government."

In a welcome relief for holidaymakers, council's six Holiday Parks at Dicky Beach, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Cotton Tree, Mudjimba and Coolum will reopen for intrastate travel from today, Tuesday 2 June.

"I welcome the Premier's announcement to allow all Queenslanders to travel anywhere within the State for holidays," Mayor Jamieson said.

"The Sunshine Coast is one of the state's leading holiday destinations and with school holidays just around the corner, I am sure we will all be welcoming holidaymakers back to our region.

"I would however, encourage anyone looking to visit the Sunshine Coast to get in quick as bookings are likely to be snapped up straight away."

Venue 114 and Council's community spaces including Beerwah and Kawana Community Halls, Kawana Island Meeting Place and Bellvista Meeting Place will reopen on Monday 8 June with non-contact activity allowed for up to 20 people.

Public barbecues will be turned back on by Saturday 6 June.

The number of users at any one time at Sunshine Coast playgrounds, exercise equipment and skate parks will double from 10 to 20 people.

In announcing the reopening of facilities, Mayor Jamieson encouraged residents to take personal responsibility for hygiene, including washing hands before and after use at facilities to bringing hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes to use on surrounding surfaces as an extra precaution.

"Council has increased cleaning on many facilities, but we must remember COVID-19 hygiene is everyone's responsibility," Mayor Jamieson said.

From today, Tuesday 2 June, up to 20 people will be able to access Gardners Falls at Maleny.

Kings Beach Ocean Pool will reopen on Friday 5 June, again for 20 patrons, however swimmers are being warned it is not supervised during winter so be extra careful.

Council's aquatic centres and indoor and outdoor sports centres including Caloundra Indoor Stadium, Sunshine Coast Stadium and Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex remain closed and the time frame for their reopening is being reviewed.

"COVID Safe industry plans for sport, recreation and fitness need to be released before those facilities can reopen," Mayor Jamieson said.

"Before we can open the venues and take bookings, we need to review and understand these plans and have the appropriate checklists in place.

"As soon as these Industry Plans are released, we will assess and make announcements in the future.

"There is also some time needed to reactivate facilities.

"We need to heat pools, prepare fields, roster staff and implement COVID safe signage prior to reopening."

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve and Discovery Centre will also reopen on Friday 12 June from 10am to 2pm from Monday to Friday initially before expanding to seven days a week from 26 June.

The Caloundra Regional Gallery will reopen on Wednesday 17 June, with revised hours of Wednesday to Friday 10am to 2pm.

In line with the Federal Government's social distancing requirements, the gallery will welcome 20 visitors at a time and visitors are asked to please comply with these requirements so the gallery can continue to showcase leading, contemporary exhibitions.

Bankfoot House will once again welcome locals and visitors from 19 June, opening on Fridays from 10am to 3pm for booked tours only. Bookings can be made for small groups (max five people). Visit heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.

In summary, under the new Stage 2 roadmap for the Sunshine Coast Council, the following facilities will be reopened:

Resources to assist businesses with reopening and managing COVID-safe requirements are available on the Queensland Government website. A number of measures to support local businesses are also available from Council's website.

For the latest information about council facilities and services and business assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/coronavirus.