Coronavirus in Ballarat: Leaders react to roadmap release
Little will change in Ballarat when regional Victoria moves to Step Two restrictions next Sunday, and several leaders in the city have expressed their disappointment and frustration.
There were high expectations for regional areas in Premier Daniel Andrews' midday press conference, where he announced the state's roadmap for emerging from restrictions.
Initial changes, from 11.59pm on September 13, involve a "social bubble" for people who live alone, allowing them to see one other person who also lives alone, and up to five people from a maximum of two households can gather outdoors - playgrounds and community swimming pools can also open.
FULL COVERAGE
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State Small Business Minister Jaala Pulford said she understood the frustration, but the "slow and steady" approach to reopening the state would prevent a "third wave", which would be even more devastating than the second wave.
"The last thing we want is for all of the hardship that people have endured, and all the sacrifices people have made, to be in vain," she said.
"I'm quite sure that people have loved this all to represent much faster movement, but this is the pace we need to go at to make sure we don't reverse back into restrictions again later in the year."
She did not rule out treating potential hotspots differently, and maintaining restrictions in some areas longer than others, but said the state government will be unlikely to accelerate opening some regions, to avoid having different and confusing sets of restrictions across the state.
"I think the people in those local government areas that haven't had a new case for months have been extremely patient and have made the same sacrifices as places where there's been a lot more of the virus, but when you think about when and how people move ... we need to recognise that the movement still needs to continue, and while it continues it presents a risk," she said.
Commerce Ballarat chief executive Jodie Gillett said the lack of change will be "devastating for so many sectors", particularly where businesses cannot reopen until November 23.
"They're fighting for their survival now - it's far more severe, and it's absolutely devastating," she said.
"We're going to see many businesses go under, we're going to see a lot more unemployment, and sadly that's going to affect our young people greatly because these are the sectors that employ so many of our young people."
City of Ballarat mayor Ben Taylor said he would be making enquiries to state government representatives to reconsider.
"How can we, as a region, start to be looked at in a way to get a bit of normal happening - it could be Barwon-South West, Grampians, Mallee (as regions), and looking at that as a better option rather than Melbourne-centric versus the rest of regional Victoria," he said.
"I don't see a plan being formulated to address areas with no cases, or areas doing the best they can like Ballarat, listening to the advice and doing what's told, and still not having an opportunity to come out of these restrictions."
Committee for Ballarat chief executive Michael Poulton said the announcement reinforced that need to continue listening to the advice.
"We're close in Ballarat, but the challenge is the impacts from other regions, look no further than Colac - if we think that this is over and we've now got to live with it, look at Colac, because things can very quickly get out of hand," he said.
"We need to work hard to ensure individual nuance for regional areas can be achieved - I'd encourage the state government to work with the regions and communicate with us directly about our particular needs."
Ballarat-based chair of the state government's Small Business Ministerial Council Stuart Benjamin said it was now up to the rest of the community to prevent new cases.
"We thought there might be better news today," he said.
"The good news for businesses and homes, we'll see some restriction of schooling (lift), that will be relief for every working parent - but for businesses that are holding on, there's still no clarity, that's the sad reality of being in a scenario where we don't control the outcomes.
"We have clarity on the milestones, but when we achieve those milestones is up to the public."
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There are also fears for people's mental health - Mr Benjamin pointed out people are "exhausted, and Ms Gillett said she had concerns for several people running businesses who had been waiting for more information.
"I am frightened for many in our business community after this announcement today," she said.
"We really just continue to call out to anyone who is struggling or find this too hard to cope, to talk to someone or reach out, there are plenty of people ready to help and support."
The state government has several resources available on its business.vic.gov.au site, including grants, while Commerce Ballarat has Ballarat-specific information and free workshops on its website.
If you or someone you know is in need of crisis support, phone Lifeline 13 11 14, or Beyondblue on 1300 224 636.
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