Message from OIC Apollo Bay Police re COVID-19

9th April 2020

Happy Easter Everyone.

I would like to thank the Locals for the way you have all conducted yourselves over the last few weeks with the stage 3 restrictions. 

We are currently conducting Operation Sentinel which has various tasks including checking residents in directed isolation, enforcing the stay at home and restricted activity direction and our normal work.

By and large the compliance by locals has been outstanding with only odd reminder given out for minor breaches. I can say though that we have begun to issue $1600 tickets for blatant breaches. Over the last two days we have detected people coming to the area from several hours away to surf, camp, go for a drive and the like. They have been booked as is I’m sure the community expectation and certainly my expectation.

That said, we as locals need to keep our game faces on and stick to rules. It is unethical to play favourites and any locals blatantly disregarding the rules should also be fined.

At the moment we are fortunate that surfing is an acceptable form of exercise but it is the exercise that is the primary goal, not the best area to surf. You may use your vehicle to get to the area of exercise, however there is the unnecessary travel element. If you drive to Johanna, Lorne and the like instead of Skenes Creek or the boneyard then you are pushing it and likely to get booked.

Fishing is not allowed in Victoria and is mentioned specifically in the directions in back and white unless it is a commercial operation.

I sympathise with everyone. I’ve got a boat, a motorbike. 4wd and camping gear sitting in the shed unlikely to be used anytime soon. Also 3 young kids just wanting to go to the park.

I would suggest that you install the government Coronavirus app as it has a lot of information, links to each state and links to the actual statutory sections of the directions so you can see it in black and white.

DHHS information line or my crew and I can assist you with clarification of things if needs be.

Enjoy your time with you families and stay positive. Posting negative comments doesn’t help anyone.

I’ll give you an update in a week or so.

Damian Bould
Sergeant
Apollo Bay Police