Mayor’s Column: A busy year ahead

HAPPY New Year to everyone in the Borough of Queenscliffe community!

I hope the holiday season was a chance for you to catch up with family and friends and take a break after a challenging year. 2022 is going to be a busy year for us at council – from implementing our Climate Emergency Response Plan to completing the Queenscliffe Hub, there’s a lot to be done and I’m looking forward to getting to work.

Don’t forget to have your say on our draft Coastal and Marine Management Plan

There’s still time to have your say on our draft Coastal and Marine Management Plan before consultation closes on January 23.

The draft Plan provides a roadmap for how we’ll use, manage and protect our coastal landscapes into the future.

It includes a range of actions and priorities for our coasts, including a weed management plan, a strategy to connect our major coastal pathways, and precinct planning controls that protect the unique characteristics of different parts of our coastline.

We created the draft using ideas submitted by the community, and now we want to hear what you think.

Head to our website to read the draft plan and to learn how you can share your feedback before consultation closes.

Stay safe in hot weather

While it’s been a cool start to the summer, we all know that hot weather can strike at any time in January and February, and it’s important to be prepared when it does.

People aged 65 years and older, children under five, pregnant mothers, and people with a disability are most susceptible to heat waves, but overheating can be dangerous for everyone.

When temperatures a high, stay safe by seeking shade, drinking plenty of water, and checking in regularly on vulnerable family members and pets.

For more tips on how to stay safe, read our Heatwave Plan at our website.

Book your booster vaccination

One of my proudest moments of 2021 was sharing the news that you helped make the borough the first council area in Australia to reach the two-dose coronavirus vaccination target.

By getting vaccinated, you’ve helped protect yourself and your family from serious illness.

If you had your second dose four or more months ago, you may be due for a third dose of coronavirus vaccine.

A COVID-19 third dose is strongly recommended to help keep you and your loved ones protected from COVID-19, as it helps prevent waning immunity (loss of protection).

This is particularly important as case numbers rise in Victoria and in the borough.

You can get a COVID-19 third dose from a Victorian vaccination centre, pharmacy, GP or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.

For more information, head to the Coronavirus Victoria website.

If you have anything you’d like to discuss with me about the borough, drop me a line via the contact details on Council’s website.

Cr Ross Ebbels

Mayor, Borough of Queenscliffe