Published on Tuesday, 31 March 2020 at 11:23:53 AM
The Town of East Fremantle has responded to advice issued by the Federal Government and from today, Tuesday 31 March 2020, will be fencing off and closing playgrounds Town-wide, closing clubs and disabling barbeques and water fountains to reduce the community’s risk.
These measures will help the Town to enforce new guidelines on social distancing in public places, and these decisions have been made to restrict and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Under the WA Government’s Preventative Restriction of Activities Direction, a person must refrain from undertaking or engaging in an affected activity, which includes a gathering of two or more people, who do not ordinarily reside at the same premises, for the purposes of participating in a sporting activity (the exception to this are couples and families who live each day in the same household).
In implementing this directive, effective today, the following Council-owned community buildings within the Town of East Fremantle will be closed;
- Camp Waller
- East Fremantle Bowling Clubhouse
- East Fremantle Cricket / Lacrosse Clubhouse (Preston Point Reserve)
- East Fremantle Croquet Clubhouse
- East Fremantle Football Club (East Fremantle Oval)
- East Fremantle Junior Cricket / Football Clubhouse (Henry Jeffery Oval)
- East Fremantle Tennis Pavilion
- EH Gray Midwife Centre
- Glyde In
- Leeuwin Scout Hall
- Sumpton Green
- Tricolore Community Centre
Please note that under the Public Health Act 2016 (WA), it is an offence for a person to fail, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any of these directions, punishable by a fine of up to $20,000 for individuals, and $100,000 for bodies corporate.
Today’s announcement follows actions taken by the Town, again in line with Government directives, to disable the Town’s barbeques, water fountains and to close/fence off all playgrounds.
Mayor Jim O’Neill said these were tough measures to implement, as the Town understands that families throughout East Fremantle have children of all ages who are at home due to the early start of the school holidays, and recognised the impact this decision would have.
“As a teacher and as a parent I get that this is disappointing, as in normal circumstances we strongly encourage families to use these facilities, but this is not a normal situation. We are battling this pandemic, and taking swift, strong action now will protect our community,” Mayor Jim O’Neill said.
He advised that many families are staying indoors, which is the safest course of action, but recognised that children and young people still need fresh air and exercise.
“In groups of two, we encourage parents and siblings to still go for walks, ride bikes and get some physical activity each day as this is crucial to physical and mental health, and East Freo has some of the most beautiful river-side walks and bike tracks in Perth.”
Beyond this, there are many online resources available, through schools and other sources, to help keep the young (and the not so young) entertained over the school holidays.
Social media also provides great opportunities for the community to connect and share resources such as movies, audiobooks, online musical concerts, choirs, and workouts that can be done at home. With many people on leave or working from home, this is a great time to do some online study to develop a skill or get a qualification that might not ordinarily have been possible.
Mayor O’Neill said: “We may be socially distant, right now, but we can still be a united community, and I encourage all of East Freo to find ways to reach out – safely – to share skills and ideas make connections.”
Soon the Town will launch a new community connection program, that will facilitate a link between vulnerable members of the community and local volunteers who want to lend a hand. A further announcement on this will be made shortly.
For updates on how COVID-19 and other news about the Town, consult our website here
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