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COVID-19: Update from WALGA President and CEO
 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
WALGA
18 September 2020

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COVID Guidelines and Plans for Large Events - Effective Friday, 25 September
The WA Premier Mark McGowan today announced the introduction of COVID Guidelines and Plans that will be required for large events from next Friday, 25 September.
As had been previously foreshadowed, updated Closure and Restriction (Limit the Spread) Directions (No 6) issued today require public or private events of more than 500 people that already require Local Government approval to have an approved COVID Event Plan and be registered with the Department of Health, effective from Friday, 25 September.

As part of these arrangements, the event organiser may also be required to employ COVID Safety Marshals who would be responsible for monitoring that the public health measures specified in the COVID Event Plan are implemented and maintained.
 
A COVID Event Plan will not be required for events that form part of the usual business of places for which there is an existing public building approval.
 
Event Organisers are required to submit a COVID Event Plan to be assessed by the relevant Local Government where the event is proposed to be held.

Events considered to be of a low or medium risk will be assessed and approved by the Local Government EHO as an extension of the usual events approval process.

All high risk COVID Event Plans will be escalated by the EHO to the Department of Health for further review and approval.
 
The Department of Health has this afternoon issued a circular to Local Governments providing further information, with the event risk assessment matrix to be distributed on Monday, 21 September. It is expected that a link to a recording of the webinar on the new requirements will also be provided.
 
Event guidelines, COVID Event Plan template and FAQs can be found here.
Local Governments with potentially high risk events scheduled for Friday, 25 September to Sunday, 4 October are being asked to email the Department of Health Environmental Health Directorate.
 
WA Premier Update on National Cabinet
Speaking after today’s National Cabinet meeting, WA Premier Mark McGowan outlined the agreement reached on increasing the number of international arrivals into WA.
From Monday, 28 September, WA will increase the number of arrivals per week by 200 with a further increase of 300 per week from Monday, 12 October – taking the total weekly cap on arrivals to 1025 per week. As part of this arrangement, the WA Government will work with the Commonwealth to secure more ADF personnel to assist with hotel quarantine. 
 
The Premier stressed that WA has been willing to work cooperatively to safely increase the cap on arrivals in order to get Australians home from overseas, with WA receiving the second highest number of overseas arrivals since July, but that quarantine hotel system must not be compromised. The Premier confirmed that Rottnest Island would not be required as a quarantine facility, but elective surgery may be reduced if clinical staff are diverted to hotel quarantine.
 
The Premier also noted that many national companies are still requiring workers in WA to work from home based on the situation in the eastern states. He has requested that the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission, chaired by Neville Power take this issue up so that WA workers can return to the workplace. 
View the Premier’s Press Conference here.
View a transcript of the Prime Minister’s Press Conference here.
 
State of Emergency Extended
Western Australia’s State of Emergency has been extended for a further 14 days until 12:00am, Thursday, 1 October.
The declaration can be viewed here.
 
Lotterywest Strengthening and Adapting Organisations Grant Round
Applications for the first Lotterywest Strengthening and Adapting Organisations grant round close at 5:00pm, Monday, 21 September.
Eligible not-for-profit organisations and Local Governments can apply for three streams on offer including; enhancing organisational capability and governance; the development of innovative service models; and enhancing sector collaboration.
 
The State Government has also announced the extension of the Lotterywest COVID-19 Relief Fund until March 2021.
For more information, visit the Lotterywest website.
 
Incentives for Seasonal Work in the Regions
As part of the Work and Wander out Yonder campaign, the State Government has announced a $3 million Primary Industries Workers Regional Travel and Accommodation Support Scheme to attract young people to work in the regions to satisfy demand for short-term agricultural jobs, created by the loss of the backpacker workforce due to COVID-19.
The scheme will provide financial assistance for people to relocate to take up work in agriculture, fisheries and food processing businesses in regional areas experiencing labour shortages as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Starting from Monday, 21 September, eligible workers will receive up to $40 per night to help cover accommodation costs for up to 12 weeks and travel allowances if relocating more than 100 kilometres away from their usual place of residence.
 
In some areas, accommodation may be a limiting factor in attracting workers, particularly as domestic tourist numbers have increased.
Local Governments are encouraged to share information on the scheme with their local communities and encourage discussion at a local level on possible accommodation options and how best to match workers with available accommodation.
 
Financial Hardship Support Services
The State Emergency Relief Committee (SERC) has developed a range of promotional resources for the purpose of generating community awareness of how to access financial counselling and emergency relief.
Local Governments are encouraged to share information with their local communities on available resources to assist in uptake of support where required.
 
Social media tiles and promotional posters outlining support options for those experiencing financial hardship or the newly unemployed can be found here.
 
Below are weblinks to online resources that Councils may consider including on their own websites:
 
WAConnect  https://waconnect.org.au/
WAConnect is a WA online directory to help you and your family find extra help to get you through these challenging times. Search WAConnect for local food relief, emergency accommodation, assistance with overdue bills and referrals to other services and support.  You can purchase WAConnect promotional cards for your community or service by contacting leela@wacoss.org.au
 
Emergency Relief and Food Access Service
The free-call Emergency Relief and Food Access Service has been set up to support community members to identify and apply for emergency relief. Phone 1800 979 777 from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. 
 
National Debt Hotline https://ndh.org.au/
Are a not-for-profit service that helps people in Australia tackle their debt problems. They offer free, independent and confidential financial information and support provided by financial counsellors. They can also help you find other supports in your community.
 
Financial Counsellors Association WA
You can search your nearest financial counsellor by visiting Financial Counsellors Association WA at https://financialcounsellors.org/find-a-financial-counsellor/ and typing your post code. There are additional financial resources available in the COVID-19 section.
For more information, email WACOSS Coordinator Community Relief & Resilience Leela James.
 
Local Government Reporting Channel for COVID-19 Issues
WALGA has the capacity to raise issues to the State Government each week on COVID-19 related issues experienced by Local Governments.  
If you would like to report any COVID-19 risks for your Local Government, or seek assistance on a specific matter relating to COVID-19, email this information to COVID-19 Coordinator Nicole Matthews.
 
Recent State Government Media Announcements
Provided below are links to recent State Government Media Announcements related to COVID-19 and recovery initaitives.

New program to test wastewater for COVID-19

COVID focus for Future Health Research and Innovation Fund grant

Western Australia's COVID-19 recovery on track with an increase of 32,200 jobs in August

A million reasons to Wander out Yonder in time for school holidays

COVID-19 disaster payments to be available to Western Australians

Grant programs to reignite regional arts and cultural activity

COVID clinic in Kununurra to further protect WA border

COVID-19 Relief Fund to continue to deliver community support

State-wide Recovery College to enhance wellbeing

Building Bonus boost part of new COVID-19 Industry Support Fund

WALGA
ONE70, LV1, 170 Railway Parade,
West Leederville, WA 6007
PO Box 1544, West Perth, WA 6872
Tel: (08) 9213 2000 | Fax: (08) 9213 2077
Email: info@walga.asn.au
www.walga.asn.au
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WALGA · ONE70, Level 1, Railway Parade · West Leederville, WA 6007 · Australia