Kimberley Shires United in COVID-19 Fight

Published on Thursday, 2 April 2020 at 12:00:00 AM

The four Kimberley Shires are united in their support for medical teams that are at the coal face of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘We recognise and appreciate the service of the medical professionals in our region and the contribution that they continue to make,’ said Cr Chris Mitchell, Chair of the Kimberley Regional Group.

‘Yesterday’s announcement of six positive cases in locations across the east and west Kimberley highlights the challenges being faced.

‘We are talking to the State and Federal governments and working hard to ensure that all three tiers of government are working together.

‘There are practical things that need to be considered including suitable quarantine/isolation accommodation across the region and making sure we have the PPE and testing kits we need.

‘The Shires in the Kimberley remain resolute in our support for our communities,’ said Cr Mitchell.

The Kimberley now has positive COVID-19 in Broome, Halls Creek and Kununurra.

‘Like all of our Shires we are extremely aware of the concerns of our residents and the economic shock to our businesses and are looking to ensure the safety of our people whilst planning for the recovery phase of this pandemic,’ said Cr Harold Tracey, President of the Shire of Broome.

‘We are all making sacrifices, some are very large sacrifices, but we will save lives.’   

The Shire of Derby remains COVID-19 free at this time.

‘We are focused on the health and resilience of our communities and supporting organisations that are at the coal face,’ said Geoff Haerewa, President of the Shire of Derby West Kimberley.

‘Like everywhere else in the Kimberley we have a highly vulnerable population that must be protected and we are doing everything we can to be prepared. 

The Shire of Halls Creek had their first case confirmed yesterday.

‘Halls Creek is the gateway to some of our largest and most remote Aboriginal Communities,’ said Cr Malcolm Edwards, President of the Shire of Halls Creek.

‘I urge everybody to listen to the health advice, practice social distancing and wash your hands frequently.’

‘Talk to your family and friends to make sure they understand what to do.’

The Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley borders with the Northern Territory and has also has a confirmed case of COVID-19.

‘We are working not just with State and Federal representatives, but also with the Northern Territory to keep our people safe,’ said Cr David Menzel, President of the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley.

‘It is early days in this fight against COVID-19 and we are likely to see more cases confirmed over the next few weeks so we must all remain vigilant and do the right thing by our communities.’

END

About the Kimberley Regional Group

The Kimberley Regional Group (KRG) represents the four Shires in the region being:

• Shire of Broome
• Shire of Derby West/Kimberley
• Shire of Halls Creek
• Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley

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