Hello everyone,
I am writing to you today to share an important update about how we are managing the pandemic in East Fremantle. Due to everyone's vigilance and hard work in responding to the crisis, excellent progress is being made and as a result, some restrictions are being eased.
Social Distancing
Social distancing is integral to help limit the risk of COVID-19 coronavirus spreading throughout the community. It includes:
minimising all unnecessary contact with others
keep 1.5 metres away from others
avoiding physical greetings such as handshakes, hugs and kisses
use tap and pay instead of cash.
Updated gathering restrictions
Updated gathering restrictions up to 10 people, exercise, outdoor recreation, indoor, non-work gatherings, weddings
Based on health advice, from Monday 27 April, indoor and outdoor non-work gatherings of up to 10 people are now allowed at:
weddings and funerals
outdoor personal training (no shared equipment)
home opens and display village inspections
(If a single household has more than 10 people, that household remains exempt from this new rule.)
All other restrictions remain in place for now:
all public playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gym equipment will remain closed
restaurants, cafés, food vans, food courts and road houses remain restricted to takeaway and home delivery.
Everyone should continue to practise appropriate social distancing and stay home, except for:
shopping for what you need, such as food or other necessary supplies
medical or health care needs, including compassionate requirements
exercise, including outdoor personal training (up to 10 people) without shared equipment
work, training or university, where remote learning is unavailable
childcare or school
non-contact recreational activities such as private picnics in the park, fishing, boating, hiking and
camping − all in compliance with travel restrictions and the 10-person rule
home opens and display village openings, with appropriate record keeping and hygiene practices in place and in compliance with the 10-person rule.
WA remains in a State of Emergency and various restrictions are enforceable by fines of up to $50,000 for individuals and $250,000 for businesses. Police officers also have the power to issue $1,000 on-the-spot fines.
A reminder that our clubs and sporting groups remain closed for the time being, but I encourage you all to continue to exercise safely and maintain good health, and access the range of support services available to you, the details of which are listed below.
Mayor Jim O'Neill.
For further information on any newsletter content, please contact us at admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au and if you think your neighbours and friends would be interested, please forward so they can subscribe (subscribe here).
ANZAC Day in East Fremantle
This year we invited everyone to mark this important date by joining a national candlelight vigil at 5.55am on Saturday 25 April 2020 and observe silent reflection for those who have served our country. Many community members took part, and there were impressive performances from our young people. We also shared with ABC Radio the identity of the Town's mystery bagpiper.
To view the whole gallery including video recordings, and the segment on ABC Radio, visit the Town's Facebook page.
Be Active and Stay Safe – Sharing Riverside Road
The Town of East Fremantle is now undertaking important upgrades to Riverside Road that will make access for cyclists, pedestrians and all road users easier. While these works are underway, there is a short term reduction of access to the footpath. At the same time, usage of this space is peaking due to increased cycling and walking due to COVID19. We ask that all users maintain social distancing and to share these public spaces with courtesy and respect.
Cyclists we ask that you dismount when approaching areas shared with pedestrians at busy times. We look forward to sharing the newly improved shared access of this area when works are completed in early July 2020.
Easing the Financial Burden on our Community
At their April meeting, which was conducted via video conferencing for the first time, Council decided that for the remainder of 2019/20:
• lease payments, fees and charges for users of Town-owned buildings are waived
• all penalty interest, instalment interest and instalment admin charges are waived
• inspection fees for food businesses have been waived
• free business advisory services available for local businesses
(through an external provider)
• faster terms of payment for creditors.
For 2020/21, there will be zero per cent increases in:
• rate revenue
• fees and charges
• wages and salaries for Town staff.
To read more detail about the decision visit our website at eastfremantle.wa.gov.au and to get advice on how this will impact upon your rates, fees and charges, call 9339 9339.
Town Services Remain in Place
Although our Town Hall remains closed, our staff are hard at work helping residents and providing all of our normal services. Customer queries can still be made online via our website: eastfremantle.wa.gov.au, by sending an email to our team at admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au and over the phone
on 9339 9339.
Community Connect Up and Running
The Town’s new Community Connect program is up and running. Town staff can assist community members with daily tasks such as collecting shopping, tidying the garden, picking up mail, walking the dog or simply checking in with a friendly phone call. If you need support, or know someone in East Fremantle who does, visit Community Connect online, or call 9339 9339 – option 4.
Have Your Say! East Fremantle Oval Precinct – thanks for your ideas!
More than 80 people completed our online survey about the East Fremantle Oval Precinct, and 40 of the Town’s young people also gave us their ideas which were creative, surprising and inspiring. Thank you. We will incorporate as many of these as we can into our new vision for the area. To see the full results of the surveys, visit our website, and congratulations to Quinn, aged 7, whose entry was chosen as the winner of a new Nintendo Switch gaming console. Project update: based on input provided previously, and the latest survey data, the development of the new masterplan for the Precinct is developing - a new fact sheet is available here.
Cheap Native Plants Available
Many residents are taking advantage of this quiet time to spruce up their gardens. The Town supports this effort through the Native Plant Subsidy Scheme. Prepackaged packs of mixed plants are available for order that you can collect from the APACE nursery in North Fremantle during the month of May. To read more and to book, click here
Drive Through, Drop Off, Recycling
The Fremantle Recycling Centre is launching a new drive-thru drop off service for unwanted recyclables.
New opening hours
- Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 8am-4pm
- Saturday 8am-12noon
Due to COVID-19 there are restrictions in place on items that are accepted at the Centre. For more information on accepted materials and associated social distancing practices please click here
Library Services Available Online Town of East Fremantle residents can access library services from the City of Fremantle Library, including online resources and dropoffs of items by calling 9432 9766 or by sending an email to frelib@fremantle.wa.gov.au. You can also browse the Fremantle Library catalogue at fremantle.spydus.com
Mother's Day is just around the corner on Sunday 10 May 2020. This year the Town of East Fremantle is encouraging our community to come up with new and innovative ways to make Mum feel special but in a way that is sustainable. Can we have a waste-free Mother's Day? Yes we can!
Starting today and in the 10 days leading up to Mother's Day we are counting down 10 fun ways you can show your love for Mum that are good for the environment and lots of fun to do.
Check out the Town of East Fremantle's Facebook page for all the details. We would love to see your ideas and how you have helped to make Mum's day special.
