The impact of Covid-19 on the Peninsula

28 March 2020

At the height of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Mornington Peninsula was identified as having the second highest number of cases in any municipality in the State.

Figures released by the Department of Health at the end of March showed there had been 42 cases on the Mornington Peninsula and 61 in the municipality of Stonnington, the highest number in the State.

Shire Mayor Sam Hearn joined other coastal shires pleading to owners of holiday houses to stay away. People wanting to move to the Peninsula would be putting extra pressure on medical and support services and businesses still in operation.

With school holidays about to run into the Easter holiday period, the community was not in a position to receive the usual influx of visitors.

Following advice from the State Government on March 28th, beaches were closed and police stepped in to stop any form of recreation taking place. It included surfing, sitting on the beach and swimming. Camping grounds, caravan parks, yacht clubs and boat ramps were also closed.

Tourism is the major source of income for the Shire with over 6 million visitors coming to the Peninsula in 2018-2019. Since the introduction of government restrictions, the hospitality industry on the Peninsula has come to a grinding halt, leaving a large proportion of the workforce without a job.

Businesses heavily affected are restaurants and cafes; accommodation and function centres; sea and land tours; sporting clubs and fitness centres; and small home craft businesses who rely heavily on market days to sell their wares.

Even local bus services transporting students to and from their schools sit motionless in their depots.

The Peninsula is home for many retirees and the elderly, an age group most at risk of infection. Initiated by mayor Sam Hearn, food packages were quickly organized by the Shire to be distributed to those most in need.

The Mornington Peninsula Shire has also developed a support package for local businesses with rate and rent relief options, together with temporary cessation of various fees and charges.