April 2020, Issue 162 The Voice of Postcode 3008 见 18 页 docklandsnews.com.au Forever Free Twitter @Docklands_News How the virus has hit Docklands The Docklands community and economy are, like the rest of the world, wading through an unprecedented experience. words by Meg Hill unanimously endorsed an economic ECONOMY package that included 14 initiatives to support businesses. “As the closest level of government Docklands jobs have been lost, to the people, we are acutely aware of meaning Docklands workers are how devastating this virus is for our unemployed. Foot traffic is down, residential and business community, and sales are plummeting. On Sunday, “ Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood March 22, Premier Daniel Andrews said. announced all non-essential services “We want to send a message that would be shut down in the following we know you are going through hard 48 hours, for an indefinite period. times. If you are worried about your Here’s how events and impacts ability to pay your rates on time, unfolded in Docklands. please get in touch with our support hotline.” Government and business “We will soon announce details Amid announcements of federal of a virtual summit for business and state government stimulus leaders. We need to help our business packages, the City of Melbourne community survive this shock so they passed its own stimulus valued at can power our economy for decades While the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) saw the Melbourne Star more than $10 million on March 17. to come.” Virus can’t stop Observation Wheel join scores of local businesses in shutting its doors to the The package focused on small Yearly rates notices are issued in Docklands’ Star from public last month, the attraction will continue to shine bright for Docklands as businesses in the municipality and August. For ratepayers who pay via a symbol of strength and vibrancy for our community. included: instalment, the fourth installation shining due date is May 31, 2020. Businesses • A virtual business support summit that fall behind on rates and charges at Melbourne Town Hall; can request that interest be waived • Suspending fees for Food Act if they are unable to pay their next Docklands on pause amid uncertainty (1984) registrations and street instalment. trading permits for three months; In the case of hardship, a request return travelers who are forcibly quarantined under of assistance from Council must be words by David Schout • Halving rent for eligible tenants in federal government directives. At time of publication, the made in writing, including the details LOCAL NEWS Council-owned buildings for three state government said that Crowne Plaza was the only of the circumstances preventing months; Docklands hotel to be doing so. the ratepayer from meeting their As businesses close, workers clear and events cease, Accommodation giant Quest confirmed withDocklands • Opportunities to deploy casual financial obligation to Council. Docklands is bracing for an acutely uncertain 2020 amid News that while many of their hotels throughout the na- and part-time staff to enhance city The City of Melbourne said that it the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. tion were offered as quarantine facilities, Quest NewQuay cleanliness and amenity; and would advise of its decision in writing In the space of just two weeks in March, almost all and Quest Docklands would not be taking returned within 14 days for a person, or within • Developing a Rates Hardship Docklands-based businesses and events were forced to travellers. 21 days for a body (small business), Policy. close or cancel after increasingly stringent government NewQuay franchisee Stacy Andronikos, however, said after receiving an application for measures forced people indoors. that the pandemic had hit his business hard. The business support summit, financial hardship consideration, Many local residents now face the prospect of isolation “It’s tough. It’s been tough on the entire industry,” he proposed by Deputy Lord Mayor once all relevant information has inside apartment buildings, making the months ahead said. Arron Wood, is a partnership with been provided. particularly challenging. “We’re just taking it day by day at to be honest because the state and federal governments, The City of Melbourne also With less room to move (and practice social distancing) things are moving so fast. It has been tough for the area Victoria’s Chief Health Officer and announced that it would temporarily in these living arrangements, owners’ corporations (OCs) and for Melbourne. Fingers crossed we can pick up as the Victorian Chamber of Commerce suspend fees such as street trading throughout Docklands face important decisions about quick as we dropped off.” and Industry. and outdoor dining area permits. common areas and procedures to deal with residents who The impact on many businesses has been swift. In fast tracking its rates hardship “We have fast-tracked our policy may contract the virus. An area defined by a large working population, policies at a special council meeting to provide options to defer, reduce or The local area, via its numerous hotels, may also host Continued on page 3. on Wednesday, March 25, councillors Continued on page 5. LOCAL NEWS, PAGE 04 COUNCIL AFFAIRS, PAGE 07 COMMUNITY, PAGE 08 LOCAL NEWS, PAGE 08 Workers adjust to new Council well placed to From the Mission to Reality closes in on A regime B support businesses C Seafarers D riverside community What to do Where Where to to stay Eat /Drink Beauty, Health Docklands Where & Fitness Services to Shop The Voice of Postcode 3008 2 We’re still We can still Love Our Street even when we publishing are not allowed on them CONTACT words by Sean Car Suite 108, 198 Harbour Esplanade EDITORIAL words by Dr Janette Corcoran docklandsnews.com.au Tel: 8689 7980 ENVIRONMENT The uncertainty currently confronting our world is well understood and, like everyone, EDITOR We are now well used to reading the growing Docklands News is not immune to it. Sean Car list of events cancelled due to COVID-19. “Unprecedented”, “extraordinary” and “bi- And, sadly, LOS3008 (Love Our Street PUBLISHER zarre” are words we’ve all become sadly too Docklands) has a couple of events to add to this Hyperlocal News Pty Ltd familiar with in recent times as the devastating list. ABN: 57 623 558 725 effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continue The first is our regular community clean in to wreak havoc in our community. Docklands and the second is a special event ADVERTISING But while the fear of the unknown is always which was planned for May 2020. Hyper-local print works for advertisers a natural cause for anxiety, we should not allow This was our inaugural Vertical Village in our digital world because local people panic to become a more powerful contagion Waste Market – funded, in part, by the City are interested in local news. that the virus itself. Calmness, compassion and of Melbourne (CoM) through its Waste To sell to the Docklands community, care are some of the best cures we currently Minimisation Innovation Grant program. contact Jack Hayes on 0401 031 236 or have in grappling with the fresh realities of this We had intended this column to be about [email protected] pandemic each day. the different displays that we had organised And as so many of you will feel isolated at Reader contributions are welcome. – a repair café, a toy library, and a wide range “But in the meantime, home and cut off from your own communities Send letters, articles and images to: of schemes of actual use to residents living in during this period, there has never been a more the issue of litter in our [email protected] high-rise apartments. And we had planned for important time for us to try and do our bit to the event to be held in Village St – becoming the streets continues – with help you feel that little bit more connected. The deadline for the May edition first group to use this purpose-designed space But with so many businesses shutting their COVID-19 having some is April 23. for what is was intended – holding local events. doors and doing their best to weather this All is not lost, and we are currently working unexpected impacts.” SOCIAL MEDIA storm, we will be doing our very best to keep with CoM to see if we can hold this event at a TwitterFollow us on Twitter bringing you your local news while things re- later time – stayed tuned! @Docklands_News turn to normal, which they will. But in the meantime, the issue of litter in In the meantime, if you’re a resident or busi- our streets continues – with COVID-19 having FACEBOOK-SQUARELike us on Facebook ness, please don’t hesitate to reach out, share some unexpected impacts. Docklands News your story with us and let us know how we can First, there are the strewn take away contain- support you through this in any way. instagramFollow us on Instagram ers and coffee cups. As we are all well aware, To stay in touch with your community, you @docklands_news serving take away food is now the life blood for can also join our recently launched Docklands many cafes and restaurants. But this in no way Community Hub Facebook page: facebook. Opinions expressed by contributors are not means that the packaging has to be left on the com/groups/docklandscommunityhub necessarily shared by the publisher. • street! ↥ The second noticeable impact is an increase used. Electronic locks, for example, are used in hyperlocalnews.com.au in abandoned trolleys. A recent post on a other locations and they work by automatically [email protected] Sean Car Docklands Facebook page entreated people locking a wheel when a trolley is moved past a who had used these trolleys to, “Please return barrier sensor.