Shire call for JobKeeper MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council wants the federal government to reinstate the JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments. “Our communities are suffering and they need greater income support which we, as a local government, can’t deliver them; we’ve pulled all the levers we have available,” Cr Sarah Race told council’s Tuesday 27 July meeting. “I have spent the last week and a half hearing from and reading about the anguish of business owners and community members and their very real struggle with lockdown five. “Most of us know public health measures are necessary in a pandemic, however, that doesn’t make situations any easier. “Many of our business owners have had to stand down staff. Many people are wondering how they’re going to feed their families – even with the amazing support of our hardworking community organisations. “Many people are trying to figure out how they’re going to pay their rent, mortgage and utilities.” Cr Race said the shire had “one of the highest rates of JobKeeper support”. “The JobKeeper wage subsidy was paid through the employer’s payroll system, so employers could only receive payments for as long as a worker remains employed,” she said. “This kept employees connected to their places of employment. “The new COVID-19 disaster payment of $600 separates employers and employees. $600 is also $150 less per week than the minimum wage. “Services Australia are also reporting a massive backlog of claims. Our people are struggling; our businesses are struggling, and our community is struggling.” Later, and before the sixth lockdown was announced, Cr Race saidthe pandemic “isn’t going away anytime soon”. “We need our unemployed to be supported properly when hopes of long-term and full time employment, particularly in hospitality and retail businesses, is perilous. Stephen Taylor
NEW signs at the intersection of Marine Parade and Salmon Street heading towards High Street, Hastings. Picture: Gary Sissons
Slowing down for a safer town NEW speed limits at Hastings aim to make the streets safer. Parts of Marine Parade are now down to 50kph and other areas, including side streets, are down to 40kph. Acting Senior Sergeant John Wardle, of Hastings police, said the reduced speed zones were designed to protect the community from road
trauma and, in particular, vulnerable members of the community who are overrepresented in trauma statistics. Those regarded as especially vulnerable are bike riders, the elderly, children and teenagers around parks, preschools, council buildings, lawn bowling clubs and schools. Also, with no international or interstate travel
police say they have noticed an increase in people visiting the area for recreational activities, often towing boats for boating and fishing on Western Port. Anecdotally, police say that after so many lockdowns people are starting to become “deskilled in driving vehicles”.
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11 August 2021
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