State of emergency changes daily life MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Sam Hearn has called for calm following last week’s declaration of a state of emergency and the introduction of stage four restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19. “As we navigate the next six weeks let’s do our best to be patient, resilient and calm. This situation is unfamiliar to all of us,” Cr Hearn said. “We are in this together and if we all do the right thing we will be on the other side of this sooner.” Changes to the daily lives of Victorians include: An 8pm-5am curfew (the only reasons to leave home during these hours are for permitted work, essential health, care or safety). Face masks/coverings are mandatory. Exercise limited to a maximum of one hour a day within five kilometres of home with one other person. Shopping limited to one person a household a day also within five kilometres of home (on the peninsula travel is allowed if a supermarket is further than five kilometres). Students (including years 11 and 12) began learning from home from Wednesday 5 August; from Thursday 6 August kindergartens, family day care and early childhood education services were only open to vulnerable children and children of permitted workers. The Night Network (bus route 970 to Rosebud) has been suspended. If you can’t leave home because it would mean leaving a young child or at-risk person alone they can accompany you. Services continuing as normal are the emptying of rubbish, recycling and green bins. Tips and hoppers are closed to the public but open for commercial use. The shire’s 2019-20 waste voucher expiry date has been extended to 31 December. Closed: Mount Martha Golf Course, boat ramps (except for commercial fishing), play-
Ferry services cut
Picture: Yanni grounds, skate parks, community halls and houses, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery (online activities), libraries (Zoom events, including childen’s storytime), recreation centres and swimming pools (online fitness and nutrition advice). Open for those living within five kilometres: The Briars, Mount Martha (pedestrians only); beaches, cemeteries, and sporting fields (personal exercise only). Modified services include the shire’s customer service (phone and online only), aged and disability care, maternal and child health and immunisation, family day care, youth services and the animal shelter. Help: Beyond Blue 1800 512 348, Lifeline 13
11 14 or facing threat of family violence 1800 737 732. Food and emergency relief: Mornington Community Information and Support 5975 1644; Westernport Community Support 5979 2762; Southern Peninsula Information and Support 5986 1285. COVID-19 testing: 24-hour coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398; Rosebud Hospital clinic at Eleanora House 10am-6pm dailys; Frankston Hospital 12 Hastings Road, Frankston, 10am-6pm; Monash University Peninsula Campus, Moorooduc Highway, Frankston, 8.30am-4pm; Atticus Health Medical Clinic Hastings (appointment only); Rosebud Respiratory Clinic (appointment only).
WITH an expected drop in demand due to the stage four coronavirus restrictions, Searoad Ferries has suspended weekend ferry services between Sorrento and Queenscliff until at least 19 September. The ferry, left, will continue its two-hourly Monday-Friday service. The cut back follows changes brought in with the stage three restrictions last month (“All clear for essential ferry” The News 13/7/20). “This is obviously an historic and significant step to suspend the service for the first time in 33 years,” Searoad CEO Matt McDonald said. “However, we must respond to the unprecedented circumstances which we find ourselves in, with stage four lockdown in the greater Melbourne region.” Mr McDonald said essential travel and for permitted work and would continue. “We believe we have a responsibility to provide a service for those who need to travel and to assist the critical and essential parts of our community to remain operational,” he said. Under the regulations the transport operator is an essential service for approved travel, transport and freight. This includes travel for emergency services, essential supplies, work, medical purposes and compassionate reasons. “During COVID-19 we have continued to move a broad range of customers who rely on our service,” Mr McDonald said. “[This includes] essential travel, such as the supply of milk to the Mornington Peninsula, tradies travelling to jobs on either side, emergency services, medical staff, as well as individual carers travelling for compassionate reasons.” “We are maintaining our practices in line with our COVID safe plan which includes hourly sanitation and cleaning of the vessels.” Details: searoad.com.au
AGL Crib Point Gas Project Information Session The AGL Crib Point Gas Import Jetty & Pipeline Project is proposed to increase the supply of natural gas to southeastern Australia. However there are potential impacts on the protected Western Port Ramsar site, listed migratory species, listed threatened species and ecological communities. The State Government has now put an Environmental Effects Statement on public exhibition until August 26 and we’re encouraging all residents to have their say on this proposal.
For more information visit: engage.vic.gov.au/crib-point-IAC Council will adopt a position on the proposal at its August 17 planning meeting. A free online community information session will then be held to outline Council’s position and provide advice on how to make a submission.
Community information session: Wednesday 19 August 2020, 5–6pm Go to the below link and follow the instructions. bit.ly/2E45Fml
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Southern Peninsula News 12 August 2020
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