Published on Monday, 30 March 2020 at 3:49:37 PM
During these times of unprecedented changes to everyone's daily routines, it is important to remain vigilant and act in the best interests of the health and safety of not only ourselves but that of others. Talk to your family members and check in with people that are in self-isolation. Look out for your neighbours and remember to be kind.
Make sure to keep in contact with close family and friends by whatever non-intimate means possible. We need to pull together as a whole and look after those amongst us who are most vulnerable. This can include offering to collect essential supplies for your elderly and ring distant family and friends to break the feeling of isolation. Please stay focused and we can work through this major disruption together.
It is pleasing to note that several of our lovely community people have started looking after our older residents. The Shire is now adding to this resource by making staff available to help in any way that you feel that we can assist. If you are isolated and need help on any matter or aspect give us a call at the Shire on 9765 1200 and we will help you. You are not on your own and our staff can help you.
If you feel you need help, ring the Shire on 9765 1200. We will arrange for someone to assist you, and we have Nicki Jones working for us through this period. We have many staff and Councillors who are only too willing to help. We would also like to know your email address if you have one. This will enable us to communicate via the internet more regularly. If you can, please email your details to ao@boyupbrook.wa.gov.au
THE THREAT OF INFECTION TO OUR COMMUNITY IS REAL
The Shire has established a special emergency management team that will be meeting weekly and receiving regular updates from the local agencies such as St John Ambulance, Boyup Brook Hospital, and Boyup Brook Police. We will be taking our advice and direction from the Department of Health and other state government authorities. The team will be working on a plan to implement business continuity across the shire.
Over the past week some shire facilities have been closed and organisations and sporting groups ceased to operate. All these decisions have been made on the advice received from the State and Federal Governments around social distancing and gathering numbers. We thank those groups and individuals for their commitments to keep our town safe.
At this stage the Shire's administration, depot and transfer station will remain open, with strict hygiene and social distancing measures in place. We request everyone respects the directions given to them by our staff at these locations.
Measures that have been put in place within the community are for everyone's protection, and to help lessen the risk of possible transmission. New measures include travellers from overseas being required to self-isolate for 14 days in quarantine at either Rottnest or a designated hotel in Perth.
Also, intraregional travel restrictions will be in place from midnight Tuesday 31 March 2020, and will be enforced by police and defence if required. Boyup Brook is part of the South West Region which stretched from Harvey to Walpole.
For the most recent information please visit the HealthyWA website which is ww2.health.wa.gov.au. It is also recommended that everyone download the coronavirus app via their phone app catalogue.
We have a challenging period ahead of us as a small community and I urge everyone to remain vigilant to get ahead of the spread of this currently incurable COVID-19 virus. Please focus on each other's health and welfare and if a family member shows signs of symptoms, make contact with our hospital or medical services providers for more information on how to receive help. We are a relatively isolated town however, no one is guaranteed to not be at risk unless isolated, practising social distancing and maintaining strict hygiene protocols.
I would like to reinforce the comments by the Premier Mark McGowan in that I totally feel for the local businesses that made changes to their trading conditions and have had to put staff off. I thank you for putting this community first.
This is a serious situation and only by everyone's co-operation can we as a community stop the spread. We need to act now as if the virus is here and respect the rules.
My Aged Care 1800 200 422 www.myagedcare.gov.au (over 65's)
NDIS 1800 800 110 www.ndis.gov.au (disability services)
Council will hold a Special Meeting to consider a number of further measures to help the community. One matter which will interest all ratepayers is the possible freezing of rates for the 2020/21 year.
Take care....stay safe
Graham Aird Chris Smith 30 March 2020
Shire President Chief Executive Officer
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