A Message from our Mayor to the West Tamar Community

Friday, 10 April 2020

I think you’ll all agree that as a country, Australia has managed the COVID-19 pandemic very, very well. But that doesn’t mean we can take our foot off the peddle, not yet.

In fact, it’s more important than ever during the Easter Break that we adhere to the advice to self-isolate. This weekend could be a make or break time for all the gains we’ve achieved to date.

On behalf of the West Tamar Council I'd like to say “thank you” to everyone in our municipality who has been doing the right thing by staying home to save lives during this pandemic.

The message couldn’t be clearer, keeping Tasmanians safe from COVID-19 is the number one priority, and our best chance to make that happen is to stay home. Don’t be tempted to do otherwise, social distancing matters.

We must all stay home over the Easter holiday, unless we absolutely have to leave your home to shop for essential supplies, to get healthcare, to exercise or to care for someone.

By staying home we dramatically reduce our risks of catching the virus, we’ll be saving not only our own lives but the lives of others.

I know this time is hard and it’s been a massive change for everyone, myself included, but staying at home this holiday means we’ll come out of this sooner if we all stick to the rules, to enjoy the brighter days ahead.

If we think it’s hard to stay at home for the next four days, spare a thought for those that are really doing it hard. Those that have the virus, those that have lost loved ones to it, those that are jobless as a result of the virus and the many, many businesses – most of them small family businesses - that have had to close, despite all the years of commitment and hard work. We owe it to them to do the right thing.

Staying at home doesn’t mean you can’t communicate with family and friends. To stay in touch with your community online go onto the Government’s “Stay Healthy, Stay Connected Facebook” campaign which provides resources so that we can support our friends’ and family’s physical and mental health.

Our Young people can also connect with the Council’s Youth Services team on their new YouTube channel, with challenges, competitions and activities to keep you occupied. Subscribe by searching for YAC West Tamar on YouTube.

If you have any questions about what you can and can’t do during this lockdown period, please visit the coronavirus website at coronavirus.tas.gov.au and use the search bar to find your answers.

Our Council offices are closed during the Easter break, but we are still here to support you with all of our regular services -your rubbish, recycling and FOGO kerbside collections running as usual, our waste transfer stations are closed on Good Friday but otherwise still operating and emergencies can be reported via 1300 153 153.

We can and we will get through this and lour lives will return to normal.  Wishing you all a Happy and Safe Easter.