Coronavirus COVID-19
While the risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission in Australia remains low, we are encouraging the community to remain alert and be prepared but not be alarmed.
In all matters relating to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) the City of Bunbury and all Local Governments are taking advice from the WA Department of Health who are the lead agency.
The WA Department of Health is advising the community to only seek medical attention if you have recently travelled and have respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, sore throat) or fever.
The City’s Executive team, Environmental Health Officers and other personnel are meeting regularly and receiving information from representatives from various State Government agencies as it comes to hand.
For a list of frequently asked questions please click here. These answers are accurate at the time of publish: Monday, 30 March 2020.
26 March 2020
The City continues to monitor the advice from State and Federal government in relation to the provision of services.
At this stage capital works projects, civil, landscaping and maintenance work continues across the City in order to keep people in jobs and to keep money flowing through the local economy.
The City will continue to progress with these services until advice changes from government and health authorities.
There is currently no interruptions to the City’s waste service operations.
The State Government this morning has advised parents to keep their children home from school if they are able to.
Local schools will still be open until the start of school holidays however from Monday 6 April teachers will no longer be teaching, instead they will be supervising those students who have no other option other than to remain at school.
School holidays will begin on Friday 10 April.
Please contact your school for more details and arrangements.
The City of Bunbury would also like to remind the community to please stay home.
Please only go out if it is absolutely essential and practice social distancing at all times.
The safest thing any of us can do right now is stay home.
23 March 2020
Statement from Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan
These are unprecedented times with so much uncertainty as the situation rapidly evolves.
The City will continue to prioritise the health and safety of our people and the wider community in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
As a result of last night’s Federal Government advice, the decision has been made this morning to close the following City facilities as of midday today:
• South West Sports Centre
• Bunbury Public Libraries
• Bunbury Regional Art Gallery
• Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre
• Bunbury Wildlife Park
• Bunbury Visitor Centre
Staff at these facilities will continue to be transparent and provide information to their members and those impacted by the closures.
Given the large number of casual staff employed at these facilities, provisions are being made to support these officers and re-deploy them to other areas of the City’s operations where possible.
The City of Bunbury administration building remains open with strict hygiene and social distancing measures in place.
From tomorrow Tuesday 24 March the City’s ticketed parking metres and PayStay monitoring will no longer be in operation.
This measure has been considered for public health reasons to lessen the risk of possible transmission and to continue to support our business community however possible.
Community safety officers will continue to monitor time limits and we implore those in the community to do the right thing and think about those with accessibility challenges when parking.
Public toilet facilities that are considered low traffic will also be closed from tomorrow.
This process will assist with the prioritisation of cleaning and sanitary items to higher traffic and essential public facilities.
The City’s Emergency Coordination Team has been meeting regularly in order to plan and implement business continuity processes across the City’s operations.
This is about identifying and safeguarding critical tasks to ensure these functions continue in the event of major disruptions to the City’s workforce.
I have been inspired by what I am seeing within our community and I’m sure this community spirit will prevail.
I encourage those who are able, to continue to support our local businesses by any means available.
Let’s keep working together during this challenging time.
City health officers have put together some information regarding community group sausage sizzles.
There is no evidence to date that the virus is transmitted by food. However, food handlers are reminded to ensure that standard food safety practices are in place to minimise the risk of infection. See the link here for specific guidance with regard to community group sausage sizzles.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is also advising all Australians overseas who intend to come home to do so immediately.
On the advice of the Federal Government, Southern Ports has introduced strict measures aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19.
New measures include anyone arriving in Australia from overseas being forced to self-isolate for 14 days, including those coming into Australia via cargo vessels, and International cruise ships being banned from docking in Australia for at least 30 days.
For all of the most up to date information please visit the Healthy WA website or see advice from the Australian Government Department of Health here.
Extra cleaning measures are in place at all City-managed facilities and these facilities will continue to provide updates and information to the community as required.
The WA Department of Health release a daily snapshot that provides up to date information on cases in WA here.
For small business owners this information from the Small Business Development Corporation WA is helpful and outlines a number of considerations here.
In relation to events run by the City and held in Bunbury over the coming weeks they have now been postponed – click here for details.
The Coronavirus health information line can be contacted at any time 1800 020 080 and the community should continue to follow the Department of Health’s guidelines for prevention.
