Victoria Police to issue Schoolies fines for COVID-19 breaches
With school-leavers expected to flock to Phillip Island and Wilson’s Prom this weekend, police warn they’ll pay for any COVID-19 breaches.
Bass Coast News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Bass Coast News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Police have warned schoolies heading to Phillip Island that they will be fined if they are caught clearly breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
Victoria Police Senior Sergeant Andrew O’Brien said members on the ground would be the best ones to make those decisions.
“We will assess each case on its merits and make decisions based on what is occurring at the time,” he said.
“It does depend on the circumstance … if there’s clear breaches we will obviously offer infringement notices.”
The current COVID-19 restrictions allow for groups of up to 50 people in a public outdoor place from any number of households, and 15 people are able to visit the one house at the same time.
Police, who are responsible for enforcing the directives of the chief health officer, will be patrolling towns, beaches and foreshores.
Sen-Sgt O’Brien said Victoria Police have resourced additional numbers for Cowes in Phillip Island as that is “where a body of people usually gather on the foreshore”.
He said that police will also be monitoring Tidal River in Wilson’s Prom.
“For the first year ever, we believe that numbers will be on the increase so we have put some extra resources there to monitor what happens,” he said.
“We don't need people getting in trouble in the water or walking off into the bush.”
Even though official parties and beach events have been cancelled due to restrictions, school-leavers are organising events through private Facebook groups.
Sen-Sgt O’Brien said Victoria Police are “always concerned” about large crowds gathering.
“Obviously this time with restrictions, it makes it a bit more problematic but in past years the young folk attending have been co-operative and behaved themselves and we expect the same again this year,” he said.
Sen-Sgt O’Brien said the police are here to “work with” graduates celebrating Schoolies.
“It’s an important time in their lives and we accept and support that but we have a role to play and we don’t tolerate anti-social behaviour.”
Man flown to hospital after car crashes into tree in Loch
A man in his 30s has been flown to hospital in a serious condition after his car crashed into a tree in a small South Gippsland town.
Historic boatsheds to be ‘torn down’ over risk from rising seas
The future of Lang Lang’s historic boatsheds is under a cloud after owners were told it would cost too much to protect them from rising sea levels.