The Shire has formed a COVID-19 Incident Management team and allocated specific roles to members.
Shire of Dandaragan COVID-Readiness Household Plan
It’s important to have a plan in case you or a household member get COVID-19. If this happens, you will need to isolate at home.
The Shire has developed a COVID-Readiness Household Plan for households and families to plan and write down how you can prepare and what you would like to do in case your household is affected by COVID-19.
The Plan is not compulsory, but is designed to help you plan ahead and be prepared.
Download the plan to share with the people who may be helping you while you have COVID-19, or are isolating.
COVID-Readiness Household Plan
Thanks to City of Albany for their work in developing the template.
COVID Care at Home
To enable West Australians to receive clinical support and monitoring in the comfort of their own home and alleviate unnecessary pressure on our hospital system, WA Health has established a Home Monitoring Program (WA COVID Care at Home). The majority of West Australians who contract COVID-19 will be able to manage their symptoms at home on a self-care pathway and therefore should not need to visit their local hospital or health service.
WA COVID Care at Home will provide care to those patients deemed high risk due to identified medical and social risk factors and symptoms. The program will assess and manage the status of those people who require support when COVID-19 positive, but do not require hospitalisation.
People that require monitoring as part of the program can do so with the help of a pulse oximeter; a handheld, non-invasive, peg-like device that can clip onto a person’s finger to measure oxygen saturation and heart rate.
Are you non-Aboriginal and over 65?
Are you Aboriginal and over 50?
Are you pregnant?
If you answered YES to any of the above – collect a free pulse oximeter from the Shire of Dandaragan Administration Centre today. For those in Badgingarra and Dandaragan, if you answered YES to any of the above, please phone 9652 0800 to register and your pulse oximeter will be delivered to the
Dandaragan Community Resource Centre for collection.
The pulse oximeter takes only one minute to work, is reusable and can be shared between other people in your household. If you become COVID-19 positive, you may need to be remotely monitored through the WA COVID Care at Home program. By having a pulse oximeter already in your home, a health professional can assess you and provide health advice from the comfort of your home. Each eligible household can receive one pulse oximeter but supplies are limited.
COVID Neighbourhood Heart
We are providing assistance to members of the community facing challenges and increasing social isolation due to COVID-19.
The COVID Neighbourhood Heart Initiative aims to support those in our community at high risk of being impacted by the threats of COVID-19, including seniors, people with a disability or underlying health issue, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and Indigenous people.
Through the COVID Neighbourhood Heart Initiative, we can all look out for each other and show a little kindness and care.
Do you need help? Can you help your neighbour?
We are looking for people who need assistance and help or who may be feeling socially isolated and would like to match them with volunteers willing to help seniors and vulnerable people who are socially isolated in our local community.
There are people who have started to practice 'social distancing, who have test COVID-positive, or are isolating due to travel, and while we support this measure to minimise infections, we are concerned about the impact of social isolation and increased loneliness.
Whether it's helping someone with their grocery shopping, dog walking, a friendly phone check-in, or other errands - any little assistance you can offer will go a long way for someone in need.
Go to the COVID Neighbourhood Heart page to register as a volunteer or participant, and we will put you in direct contact with residents in your area offering or requesting assistance. The volunteer sign-up forms are also available in printed format and will be available at the Shire Administration Centre, libraries around the Shire, and Jurien Bay CRC.
Event Cancellations
To find out if Shire-run or community events have been cancelled, postponed or are going ahead, please visit our eopens in a new windowvents page or go to the event coordinator's social media feeds. Some of the community events that have been postponed include the following:
- Spray the Grey Youth Festival
- Opera at the Pinnacles (Western Australian Opera)
Many more Shire-run events have been cancelled, postponed or rescheduled, so please check the events web page to keep up to date.
For enquiries about small community-run events, get in contact with the Shire's Community Development Officer on cdo@dandaragan.wa.gov.au.
If your organisation is experiencing financial hardship as a result of cancelled event/s due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Western Australian Government through Lotterywest, have an Event Cancellation Relief for Arts, Sports and Community Groups Grant. Further information is available at the Lotterywest grant page.
Mask Mandate for Wheatbelt Region
Masks are mandatory for all indoor public settings for the Wheatbelt from 6pm Thursday 27 January, 2022.
This follows more COVID-19 cases and exposure sites being detected outside the Perth, Peel, Wheatbelt and South West region.
Masks must be worn in:
- all indoor public settings, including the workplace.
Usual mask wearing exemptions apply.
The mask rule also applies to anyone who has been in the Wheatbelt region since January 20 and has since travelled to another region that is not affected by mask requirements.
Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination
From Monday 31 January, proof of vaccination requirements will expand to apply to venues and events state-wide. Specific to the Wheatbelt includes:
- Visitors to health and medical centres, and residential aged care facilities;
- All hospitality and food licensed venues:
- including restaurants, dine-in fast food, cafes, bars, pubs, clubs, taverns;
- excluding food and non-alcoholic beverage takeaway, roadhouse and service stations.
- Bottle shops;
- Indoor entertainment venues, including play centres, gaming and gambling, halls, museums, and live music venues.
- Hotels and Nightclubs;
- Gyms, fitness studios and centres;
- Amusement Parks;
- Music festivals and large events with more than 500 people, unless exempt;
- Shire Administration Centre, libraries, recreation and community centres, visitor centres.
Community sport and school-based events are excluded from the proof of vaccination requirement.
Venues, staff and patrons will all have a shared responsibility when it comes to showing proof of vaccination, with venues required to take reasonable steps to ensure all patrons are double-dose vaccinated or have a medical exemption.
ServiceWA App
The ServiceWA app is a mobile application provided by the WA Government to help connect with WA State Government services. The ServiceWA app allows users to activate and access the following services in one place:
- SafeWA - for individuals checking in at WA businesses, venues and events;
- Import Covid-19 digital certificates - for secure presentation of your proof of vaccination or exemption on demand;
- G2G Pass - to access your travel passes when you travel into WA.
The Cervantes and Jurien Bay Public Libraries hosted sessions for those who need assistance setting up their new app in January. For help, contact the Jurien Bay or Dandaragan Community Resource Centres who can provide one-to-one assistance. Call Jurien Bay CRC on 9652 2425 or Dandaragan CRC on 96514071 to make an appointment.
Shire-Managed Buildings and Facilities
All Shire-managed facilities and buildings are now open.
Shire Administration Centre
Our Administration Centre is currently operating 9am - 4pm Monday to Friday. Some of our customer service team will still be working from home and are available via email or phone from 8am - 5pm, however appointments can be made. We encourage customers to contact us via:
Shire Depot and Waste Facilities
The Shire depot and waste facilities remain OPEN to the public, with hygiene control measures in place.
Jurien Bay Town Hall
We have been advised that Jurien Bay Youth Group at the town hall are closed until further notice.
Other Public Facilities
As at December 2020, WA State Government have advised that certain public facilities must have a Mandatory Contact Register for COVID-19 infection tracing. Facilities in the Shire of Dandaragan include all libraries (Jurien Bay, Cervantes, Dandaragan and Badgingarra); Turquoise Coast Visitor Centre; Jurien Bay Education and Conference Centre; and Jurien Sport and Recreation Centre, Cervantes Community Recreation Centre, Dandaragan Community Recreation Centre and Badgingarra Community Centre. Other businesses and facilities, such as Community Resource Centres may be encouraging contact registration although are not mandatory. Please help up to keep our communities safe in case of an outbreak of COVID-19 but registering where available and support those staff who are following WA Government directives.
Sandy Cape Recreation Reserve campgrounds, north of Jurien Bay, is open to campers.
Pioneer Park Transit Park in Dandaragan is open for camping, and overflow camping areas in Cervantes and Jurien Bay are open.
Public toilets are open to the public however please ensure you maintain social distancing and good hygiene practices. Please note we do not provide sanitiser at our public toilet facilities so please bring your own.
COVID-19 is rapidly changing and this position may change at any moment. The Shire will continue to take guidance from the Department of Health in relation to the safe management of Shire-managed facilities.
Council Meetings
At this time, Council Meetings are scheduled to continue. We will update the website and our other communication channels in the event that they are cancelled.
At each Council meeting, 15 minutes is made available for public question time.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, amendments to the Local Government (Administration) Regulations 1996 were passed by Parliament on 25 March 2020 and came into effect on 26 March 2020. The amendments mean local governments can hold electronic Council and Committee meetings during a public health emergency, and the public can be requested to submit their questions and statements prior to the meeting.
Public question time will still occur during these. Questions must be provided on the online form prior to the commencement of the meeting, however currently Council Meetings are being held as normal.
Support for Local Business
The Shire of Dandaragan and its various business partners are working together to offer support to its business community on how to access the various state and federal COVID-19 support measures, as well offering complimentary access to additional information and support:
For more information or to get in contact with the Shire’s Manager Economic Development, email edm@dandaragan.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9652 0800.
Regional Land Booster Incentives
DevelopmentWA is the State Government’s central development agency, operating across Western Australia with a diverse portfolio of industrial, commercial and residential projects. They operate under the Western Australian Land Authority, Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority and Hope Valley-Wattleup Redevelopment legislation, and formed through the merging of LandCorp and the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority.
To stimulate the economy as we transition out of the COVID-19 period, DevelopmentWA are offering incentives on residential and industrial land purchases, plus, with up to $69,000 in Government grants and concessions for home buyers and with record low interest rates, it’s a great time to buy regionally. To find out if you qualify for the Government grants visit DevelopmentWA, or go to the HomeBuilder, Building Bonus and First Home Owners Grant websites. The HomeBuilder and Building Bonus grants end 31 December 2020.
Community Engagement - Have your say
Current engagements are proceeding, with most offering online forums at https://www.dandaragan.wa.gov.au/consultations/
Your Rates
If you are experiencing difficulties paying your rates, get in contact with the Shire's Rates Officer, email council@dandaragan.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9652 0800.
Social Assistance Available
COVID Neighbourhood Heart initiative
We are providing assistance to members of the community facing challenges and increasing social isolation due to COVID-19.
The COVID Neighbourhood Heart Initiative aims to support those in our community at high risk of being impacted by the threats of COVID-19, including seniors, people with a disability or underlying health issue, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and Indigenous people.
Through the COVID Neighbourhood Heart Initiative, we can all look out for each other and show a little kindness and care.
To find out more, ask for assistance and offer help, go to our COVID Neighbourhood Heart page.
Community Resource Centres
Shire of Dandaragan residents and visitors can access assistance from Community Resource Centres (CRCs) in Jurien Bay and Dandaragan CRC.
Helplines
Lifeline
13 11 14
Lifeline has a national number who can help put you in contact with a crisis service in your State. Anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide can call.
Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800
Free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25 in Australia. Call for help.
Beyond Blue
1300 22 3646
The Beyond Blue Support Service offers short term counselling and referrals by phone and webchat.
Mensline Australia
1300 78 99 78
A telephone and online support, information and referral service, helping men to deal with relationship problems in a practical and effective way.
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
Free counselling 24/7, whether you’re feeling suicidal, are worried about someone else, or have lost someone to suicide. Call for help.
1800RESPECT
1800 737 732
24 hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline
1800 019 123
Victims Services has a dedicated contact line for Aboriginal victims of crime who would like information on victims rights, how to access counselling and financial assistance.
Consumer Information for Service Cancellations
Find the latest information from Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on consumer rights for travel, service and event cancellations in relation to COVID-19. This will be updated regularly as new guidance is available.
Many businesses are struggling to manage cancellations at this time. We would encourage consumers to remain patient, and where possible to contact the business by email or website, rather than by phone. These are very complex issues and may take smaller businesses more time to respond.
The ACCC is alerted to any instances of unfair or unconscionable conduct on the part of businesses in dealing with consumers during the current crisis. Visit their website at https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees/covid-19-coronavirus-information-for-consumers
Information is available for:
FAQs and Reliable Sources of Information
We know you may have a lot of questions about Coronavirus (COVID-19), including:
- What is the Coronavirus and how is it spread?
- How can I help prevent the spread?
- What are the symptoms?
- What do I do if I develop symptoms?
- Can I be tested?
- Who do I contact for more information?
- How should I talk to my children about COVID-19?
- Is there specific information for people from culturally diverse backgrounds and Aboriginal people?
- Can my chemist medications be delivered?
- Are there crisis or resilience grants or financial relief available to community groups?
- I am a business and have been authorised to reopen. Is there guidance about how to do this safely?
To find out the latest information and advice on COVID-19 (Coronavirus), visit the following websites and Facebook pages:
We encourage you to keep up-to-date as these websites and Facebook pages are updated regularly.