The Mayor of Brimbank Councillor Georgina Papafotiou said that she had requested that the state government joined with local authorities to develop a task force to address specific issues in the areas affected by the renewed Stage-3 lockdown in 10 post code areas in Melbourne’s west and northwest
The imposition of the lockdown has created a big burden on services in the affected municipalities, she said.
“The decision for the lockdown was made by the government and the DHSS (Department of Health and Human Services) and at this stage there has been no additional support being offered,” Cr Papafotiou told Neos Kosmos.
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She said Brimbank was the most culturally diverse municipality in Australia with 166 diverse communities living there.
“It has been very challenging as 10 suburbs in the municipality have been affected by the lockdown. It is affecting residents and council services and facilities.
“The situation is causing a lot of confusion and there are very unhappy residents. We have libraries, playgrounds and other services which are open in some parts of the municipality but not in others. We are trying to impose the same rules across the municipality,” she said.
“We are asking that people who show symptoms (of COVID-19) go as soon as they can for testing,” she said.
“I urge residents to look after themselves and look after each other. Go out only for the four essentials as defined by the state government.”
The four essentials are: Shopping for food and supplies; Care and caregiving; Exercise; and Study and work – if they cannot be done from home.