NEWS DESK
Restrictions are relaxed Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au
Deferred projects pay for virus relief Continued from Page 1 To make up for the additional spending, council has deferred allocated spending on a number of local projects to a later date. They are: • Young Street Public Toilet $300,000 • Boulevard Tree planting $205,000 • Belvedere Community Centre $100,000 • Upgrade of lighting within the Frankston Visitor Information Centre - $20,000
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Upgrade of the Visitor Information Centre signage to incorporate LED messaging - $20,000 • Building Upgrade – Frankston Visitor Information Centre $41,000 • Mountain Bike Track Design and Construction at Overport Park - $27,000 (total project cost reduced to $223,000) Cr Mayer said council “remained committed to delivering its $61.07 million capital works program”. “Getting our community through this
tough time and addressing our residents’ immediate needs is our priority. “Although some projects have been necessarily deferred, they have not been cancelled. We are committed to delivering them as soon as we possibly can.” Council approved the ratepayer funded care package on 11 May. They had originally supported a package worth around $3.37 million in March, but expanded it to $6.43 million at their most recent meeting.
RESTRICTIONS put in place to stop the spread of coronavirus started to ease last week. The Victorian government had outlined food and supplies, medical care and caregiving, exercise, and work or education as the only reasons to leave home during the pandemic. At a press conference on 11 May, Premier Daniel Andrews added “visiting friends and family” to the list of acceptable reasons to leave home. Gatherings of up to ten people outdoors, and up to five visitors at home are now allowed. “I know this will come as a welcome relief, but I need to be clear. Although these are our first steps back towards normalcy, they are not an invitation to host a dinner party every night of the week,” Mr Andrews said. “We’re asking Victorians to limit their circle to just family and friends. That means that when we do have outbreaks and positive cases, and we will, we can test and trace and effectively contain the spread.” Walking groups, fishing, hiking, and golfing will all be allowed after the restrictions are relaxed. Up to ten guests are allowed at weddings and 20 at funerals. Up to 30 people are allowed at a funeral if it is held outdoors. There have been 38 Frankston residents test positive for COVID-19 as of 15 May.
The revised restrictions will be in place during a renewed state of emergency, which lasts in Victoria until 11.59pm 31 May. On the spot fines of up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses are applicable if social distancing guidelines are violated.
Back to school date scheduled STUDENTS are set to get back into school classrooms next week. Students statewide have been undertaking remote learning during Term 2 while the coronavirus pandemic has been ongoing. The state government has now announced a path back to onsite learning for Victorian students. On 26 May prep, grade one, grade two, VCE, and VCAL students will return to schools. Specialist school students will also return to onsite learning at the same time. Students in years three to ten are scheduled to return to onsite learning on 9 June, although can return to schools before then if their parents or carers are unable to work from home. A pupil free day has been scheduled for 25 May to allow teachers a chance to prepare for the return of students. Education minister James Merlino said “we know remote learning has been challenging, but our principals, teachers, support staff, students and families have done an outstanding job making it work.” The state government will spend up to $45 million on cleaning measures for schools in terms two and three.
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Frankston Times 19 May 2020
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