Update 8.30pm:
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Horsham Rural City mayor Mark Radford said the council will make modifications to its 2020-2021 budget over the next week in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
"The draft budget is due to go out to public comment in about six weeks time," he said.
"On Sunday evening, a group called the coronavirus agencies group also met together for the first time, the idea of that being to link together with their communications," he said.
"(Member for Lowan) Emma Kealy, the Department of Transport, Uniting Wimmera, Red Cross, Salvation Army and Ss Michael and Johns were there."
"I also went for a walk today and visited local businesses in Horsham, doing a video campaign to promote those businesses which are staying open. There was some confusion this morning about what businesses were allowed to trade, so we worked through that.
"That will form part of the coucil's role to encourage people to support local business however they can - obviously while still avoiding non-essential gatherings."
Update, 5.10pm: Horsham Council announced the closure of council operated venues to the public, which will remain closed until April 13.
- Horsham Town Hall
- Horsham Aquatic Centre
- Horsham Regional Art Gallery
- Kalkee Road Children's and Community Hub (from Tuesday)
- Mibus Centre Library
- Horsham and Grampians Visitor Information Centre
- Civic Centre Customer Service (from 5pm Wednesday)
Detailed and up-to-date information on the impact to HRCC services and events can be found here.
A Horsham Council spokesman said their focus during the COVID-19 situation was "to maintain good service levels while protecting our community, especially the most vulnerable," he said.
"While people cannot visit these facilities, most services will continue to be provided where possible."
Earlier: Horsham Rural City Council has cancelled a meeting was due to be held on Monday night in response to the need to reduce gatherings of people to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The March 23 Ordinary Meeting was scheduled to commence at 5.30pm and agenda items included a vote to note and receive the final City to River masterplan, which has now been deferred a third time.
Chief executive Sunil Bhalla said the decision reflected Council's focus on reducing gatherings of people where possible to reduce spread of infection.
"Councillors have taken the lead in following the advice of Victoria's Chief Health Officer to limit group contact and minimise risk where possible," he said.
"They agreed today that all Council meeting agenda items are able to be deferred to subsequent meetings.
"The move demonstrates how seriously Council is viewing the situation and its obligation to respond on all levels possible."
Mr Bhalla said a recommendation to live stream future meetings would be put to Councillors.
"We are working on options to livestream Council Meetings," he said. "We will post updates on this feature as it comes to hand."
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