Mayor’s Column: Ross Ebbels from the Borough of Queenscliffe, June 4

AS RESTRICTIONS begin to further ease in the state of Victoria, it is now more important than ever to show your support to the local businesses of the Borough. With cafes, restaurants and pubs now allowed to open their doors to dine-in customers (albeit a restricted amount), the ability to be able to go back to your favourite shop for a relaxing sit-down meal or coffee takes on new significance.
These local businesses have, for so many years, supported our town and its people through providing sponsorships, assisting with community groups and contributing to fundraisers. They now need our help! That thrill of getting back to a certain degree of normality is even greater for the shopkeeper over the other end of the phone, ready to take your booking. So please – call in, make a time, round up your friends and family and give back to the local businesses that we value so much.
Now that some caravan parks and camping grounds are starting to open up too, for those who are lucky enough to get away for the coming long weekend, I’d like to ask you to show that same generosity to any other small towns that you may visit. Just as we have always welcomed tourists here and asked them to shop local, it’d be great if we could do the same in return, particularly as many other like-minded communities are also just starting to get back on their feet.
Of course, we must be mindful of social distancing and other common sense protocols that we should continue to put into place throughout the pandemic. Habits are hard to start and even tougher to break, but I’ve been so impressed by the efforts our local residents, both full-time and part-time, have made to keep the Borough COVID-free.
Speaking of shopping local, now is a more important time than ever to like the ‘3225 Love Local Shop Local’ page on Facebook to get the latest updates on opening hours, daily specials, and takeaway/online options from all your favourite local businesses. The page is now up to over 400 likes, which is a great response from the community given it’s only been in action for six weeks or so. Thanks to everyone for supporting this initiative.
You may have seen on Council’s main Facebook page a few steps you can personally take in regards to our coming Climate Emergency Response Plan. Rest assured, we are still working hard on this important project, and now we’re asking you to brainstorm some specific ideas in readiness for the public workshops we hope to hold in the future once restrictions allow us to do so. Your knowledge and feedback is more important than ever in this space.
As always, please stay safe and continue to do the things that make our community great.

Cr Ross Ebbels
Mayor, Borough of Queenscliffe