Lake Macquarie City Council has closed its face-to-face customer services in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Council's head of customer experience Jasmyne Munro said customers could still access services through the usual phone, email and social media channels, and via lakemac.com.au.
"But there will be no face-to-face service for the vast majority of customers," Ms Munro said.
Face-to-face service would be available only to customers who could not access other channels, and would be by appointment only, she said.
Appointments will be held at the council's administration building in Speers Point between 11ama and 1pm on Wednesdays, coinciding with the Lake Mac Libraries Click and Collect service also operating from the site.
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Hunter Water and Lake Mac Print counters are also now closed.
"Collection of Lake Mac Print orders will be by appointment only," Ms Munro said.
Customers are encouraged to place orders online at lakemacprint.com.au.
Despite the closure, council will continue its assessment of development applications (DAs) and other certifications in a bid to reduce COVID-19's long-term effects on the city's growth.
Acting development assessment and certification manager Liz Lambert said regular services were still available, despite the challenging times.
"We want to keep our city moving," Ms Lambert said.
"We're processing development applications, issuing building certificates and undertaking all our normal day-to-day tasks.
"We're also looking at innovative ways to continue face-to-face services, such as pre-lodgement meetings.
"These may include online video calls without disrupting our work processes. In some cases, these new measures may even help streamline our systems."
Find out more about Council's development services at lakemac.com.au/development.
