A message from the Mayor

30 Sep 2021

As NSW residents look forward to certain lockdown restrictions easing in October, I want to reiterate the importance of continuing to follow the current Public Health Orders (PHOs) and health advice, including getting vaccinated.

Waverley’s vaccination rate is currently around 78.4% first dose and 56.6% double dose of the over-16s population and this figure is increasing daily which is a positive sign.

Our vaccination rates are still slightly below the state average of 85.5% single dose and 60.1% double-dose and we want to see that improve.

In Bondi, the single-dose vaccination rate (between 60-79%) and the double-dose rate (between 50-59%) is lower than both the Waverley and state average.

There should be no barriers to accessing vaccines and that is why at this month’s Council meeting I put forward a Mayoral Motion calling for the establishment of a vaccination hub or pop-up vaccination clinics in Waverley. Our GPs and pharmacists are doing a fantastic job and a vaccination hub would help us reach an 80% double-dose target at a much faster rate.

That is why I am so pleased to be able to announce that a vaccination centre commenced operation this week at University of NSW Building R14, 22-23 King St, Randwick, between 8.00 am - 4.30 pm three days a week.

Vaccination remains a focus for our community as restrictions ease and we begin to welcome back people to Waverley. It is how we will be able to protect our community and our families, particularly children under the age of 12 who do not currently have access to vaccines.

As we prepare to open up, we must remain vigilant about the risks of COVID because it is circulating within our community. Currently, we have 118 active cases, up from around 88 active cases less than a fortnight ago. This is why it’s so important that we continue to wear masks and keep socially distanced from others in our public spaces. Vaccines afford great protections but it’s vital we continue to wear masks, maintain social distancing, observe outdoor gathering limits and travel restrictions and check in using the Service NSW QR code at all times.

Come summer, and Waverley will again be a popular tourist destination for residents from across the state and that is why we must arm ourselves, now, - quite literally- against the risk of COVID-19. Please, continue to get vaccinated and get tested and follow all PHOs and health advice.

Council continues to coordinate with Police and NSW Health on the use of our public places and Council will this weekend be commencing its summer staffing roster which will extend hours Rangers will be patrolling public areas in the lead up to summer.

Extended patrol hours are one part of our summer management plan for our open spaces including our beaches. Our popular COVID ambassador program also kicks off come October.

We all want to exit lockdown as quickly and as safely as possible, so let’s continue to remain vigilant about reducing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting our community.

Paula Masselos

Mayor of Waverley