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BASS Coast Shire Council and Phillip Island Nature Parks will close all Bass Coast beaches to the public over the Easter break, including for swimming, surfing and exercising.
The closure will be in effect from midnight on Thursday, April 9 until midnight on Monday, April 13.
During these times, there will be no access for anyone, to any beach, under any circumstance. This includes exercising on the beach – running, surfing, walking and swimming.
The closure will be in effect from midnight on Thursday, April 9 until midnight on Monday, April 13.
During these times, there will be no access for anyone, to any beach, under any circumstance. This includes exercising on the beach – running, surfing, walking and swimming.
This follows strong advice from Bass Coast Health that with additional people in the community over Easter, the local health network would be unable to respond to the impacts of a COVID-19 outbreak in our community.
Bass Coast Council CEO Ali Wastie said that Bass Coast does not have an intensive care facility, with Bass Coast Health only equipped to respond to local demand.
“On behalf of the local community - please stay home for Easter and only leave your primary place of residence for food shopping, medical reasons, exercise and work or education if you can't do these from home,” Ms Wastie said.
“It was a difficult decision to make, but an essential one in order to support our health network and protect our community. Stay home. Protect the health system. Save lives.”
Ms Wastie said, thanks to Bass Coast’s incredible beaches and coastlines, the Shire would normally welcome up to 70,000 visitors over the Easter period.
“Our visitors and non-permanent residents make a significant contribution to our community and economy and we respect and value all those who call Bass Coast their second home or favourite place to visit,” Ms Wastie said.
“When all of this is over, we will welcome everyone back with open arms, but until then, we are asking you to please stay home.
“We feel for those who have been doing the right thing, but protecting our community is paramount.
“The message from all levels of government is clear. If you can stay home, you must. Putting additional strain on rural health services is unfair, when cities and large towns are much better placed to manage an outbreak," Ms Wastie concluded.
Signage will be in place informing people of beach closures.
People are encouraged to contact the Victoria Police Assistance Line 131 444 to alert authorities of potential breaches of directions, including gatherings.
Bass Coast Council CEO Ali Wastie said that Bass Coast does not have an intensive care facility, with Bass Coast Health only equipped to respond to local demand.
“On behalf of the local community - please stay home for Easter and only leave your primary place of residence for food shopping, medical reasons, exercise and work or education if you can't do these from home,” Ms Wastie said.
“It was a difficult decision to make, but an essential one in order to support our health network and protect our community. Stay home. Protect the health system. Save lives.”
Ms Wastie said, thanks to Bass Coast’s incredible beaches and coastlines, the Shire would normally welcome up to 70,000 visitors over the Easter period.
“Our visitors and non-permanent residents make a significant contribution to our community and economy and we respect and value all those who call Bass Coast their second home or favourite place to visit,” Ms Wastie said.
“When all of this is over, we will welcome everyone back with open arms, but until then, we are asking you to please stay home.
“We feel for those who have been doing the right thing, but protecting our community is paramount.
“The message from all levels of government is clear. If you can stay home, you must. Putting additional strain on rural health services is unfair, when cities and large towns are much better placed to manage an outbreak," Ms Wastie concluded.
Signage will be in place informing people of beach closures.
People are encouraged to contact the Victoria Police Assistance Line 131 444 to alert authorities of potential breaches of directions, including gatherings.
Comments are closed.
Why not empower the good people of Bass Coast with the maturity and respect they deserve in confronting and shaming those that may do the wrong thing.
The current system is working well and there is no reason why it can't continue to.
They are assuring us it is just for Easter so we must be vigilant.
I understand that people are worried about Wonthaggi hospital's ability to cope, but it's getting confused with holiday home owners.
If holiday home owners come down (for example to secure their homes, since we may not be able to do this for many months) we are in no way impacting on local hospitals due to COVID-19. As the article itself puts it, Wonthaggi hospital doesn't offer the services. We would rather return to Melbourne for health services. We are not making the situation worse locally.
I don't want to fixate on hospitals, but most local comments seem to be about concern for Wonthaggi to cope. Lets follow this through for a moment - if we aren't welcome at our own local hospitals in Bass Coast, should Melbourne residents welcome permanent Bass Coast residents to Melbourne hospitals? Didn't think you'd like that idea.
We have no intention to interact with the local community under these circumstances (but normally we would love to interact and support!).
So many issues here, just saying that we should be permitted to secure our properties and get out.
Please try to be considered and understanding in your responses. We LOVE Bass Coast and identify with it very strongly. Would love to be retired there already, but need to earn some more money to enable that in the city :-)
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/easter-weekend-and-covid-19-can-i-go-to-my-holiday-house-20200407-p54hxj.html
BTW, it seems that the Bass Coast beaches managed by Parks Victoria are not closed for Easter. That includes Harmers and Williamsons.