Mayor's Message

By Cr Clare Le Serve

What a week ... I'm sure many of you have felt this to be an absolute blur with so much to do.

Many were without power for over a week. Hhowever I'd really like to emphasise the incredible support from you, community members as well as agencies and organisations, local businesses and council staff who have all come together to support each other in this clean up and recovery process.

As we rebuild the region, I want to offer some practical next steps for everyone.

Council has a dedicated web page as well as printed information in our visitor and customer service offices for practical support, financial, legal and wellbeing.

Please continue to check in on your neighbours, friends and family. Not everyone will bounce back as quickly as others.

I'd encourage you to all please support your local businesses. We have the Shop Eat Love Local campaign which we are going to be further promoting in the wake of these storms.

During a disaster like this, there are varied business and personal impacts - loss of stock (food, medicines, milk, produce, plants), loss of trade, loss of communications with suppliers, customers, staff and of course your families and friends, as well as property damage and clean-up which for some may take months. I'd like to acknowledge all the farmers in the region who will be impacted for extended periods with fences being fixed, cows unable to be milked, and of course for everyone - your mental health and wellbeing.

We have had the Superbikes here this weekend which brought a large amount of visitors to our region. We are still open for business and fun! Let everyone know! Keep doing your normal daily routines and get out and enjoy all the offerings in the area.

This weekend we have some exciting Council sponsored events to look forward to including the Little Penguin Dash and the Cowes Classic amongst many other markets and events. I hope to see you around the region enjoying the sunshine and fresh air and enjoying the community support and resilience that we are known for.

Support

The State Government is offering financial aid to those without power for longer than seven days. This is a weekly payment. Emergency Relief payments are available.

We will continue to find out any other support available including grants and will keep you updated. 

Our Shop Eat Love Local campaign will be activated on a larger scale and we are speaking with tourism organisations to help promote this further to ensure that tourists as well as locals realise the importance of supporting local. Throughout the recovery process we encourage everyone to use local services and providers. 

We know many people are humble and out in the communities helping each other. But please don't forget to look after yourself. You are of no help unless you have your own wellbeing looked after.

To assist, the Partners in Wellbeing Program is available for small businesses www.partnersinwellbeing.org.au/small-business-support. Call the Partners in Wellbeing Helpline on 1300 375 330 or Live Chat through the Partners in Wellbeing websitePlease stay in touch with us via our Bass Coast Shire Council website - www.basscoast.vic.gov.au, Business website and our social media. If you have friends and networks in business, please send them to us as well. We are here to help you.