‘Stay within your own community’

Bribie Island, one of southeast Queensland’s largest coronavirus at-risk communities is calling for tougher sanctions and support to stop the spread of the virus among its significant elderly population.

Bribie Island has a large population of elderly residents who have raised fears over the spread of the coronavirus. Photo: Paula Shearer

STATE Member for Pumicestone Simone Wilson has moved to allay residents’ fears over the spread of coronavirus as some call for the Island to be closed to visitors.

Ms Wilson asked “Bribie Island locals to continue to heed the advice of our national and state health authorities and our Government leaders and stay calm and focused on the information they are providing.

“I understand the concerns raised by some community members,” she said.

“We need Bribie Island locals to stay within their community to lessen the possibility of spread of COVID-19.”

“As the Premier has said and I reiterate, stay within your own community, shop within your own community, stay home as much as possible, limit non-essential journeys and practice social distancing and hygiene. This is extremely important.”

In a letter to Ms Wilson, Moreton Bay Regional Council, the Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and local councillor Brooke Savige, Bribie Island resident Diane Oxenford called for the island, which has one of the highest aged populations nationally, to be closed to visitors.

Ms Oxenford wrote in an email “Bribie Island’s postcode has the highest average age of any other postcode in Australia and is therefore by definition from the medical experts and scientists, the most vulnerable to the deadly effects of contamination by the COVID 19 coronavirus”.

“With the present unsustainable Tourism Model of uncontrolled and unrestricted access to Bribie Island, the present invasion by thousands of mainland visitors over weekends and public holidays must be curtailed urgently and immediately to protect the welfare of Bribie Islanders.”

She called on decision makers to “close access to Bribie Island to protect its communities and residents”.

“The virus has already reached Bribie Island. It is essential to contain its spread,” the resident said.

“Proactive and visionary decisions must be made NOW to protect Bribie Island residents.”

Resident Irene Sourgnes also wrote to the Moreton Bay Regional Council asking for support to shut down non-essential services and visitors accessing the island.

State LNP MP for Pumicestone Simone Wilson

Ms Wilson said she wrote to the Queensland Health Minister last week asking “if there are any special considerations being given to communities in my electorate given our demographic”.

In the letter to the Health Minister Ms Wilson also “asked if there will be a fever clinic implemented on Bribie Island”.

“I am still waiting on the Minister to reply, however I also understand at this time his attention is occupied on state health responses.”

Ms Wilson said with advice from government changing daily it was important for residents to keep informed “via the messages that our Government leaders and health experts are issuing”. “If people do have family members or neighbours unable to access this information, please keep them updated on the current advices being issued.”

MBRC Div 1 Councillor Brooke Savige

Moreton Bay Region councillor Brooke Savige (Division 1) said the “large percentage of our population who fall in to the at risk category .. is a concern for all levels of government and all within our community”.

“Unfortunately council are not in a position to implement a lockdown, however, residents are encouraged to follow the advice issues by the State and Federal government and minimise any unnecessary travel, stay in their neighbourhoods as much as possible and maintain social distancing requirements,” Ms Savige said.

“While residents are concerned, this is also a strong and resilient community. We know we will get through this together.”

She said Moreton Bay Regional Council had released a range of information for residents and advised last week that Council was taking vital measures to safeguard the community.

A Council media release urged residents needing advice or assistance to call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 020 080.

For more information please visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19