BY Ewen McRae
Moorabool mayor David Edwards said he was “confused” as to how his council ended up on a Queensland government list of COVID-19 hotspots, but urged it to be removed.
A COVID-19 website by the Queensland government that lists hotspots around the country to warn travellers was published recently, with Moorabool, Melton and Wyndham the three council areas listed for Victoria.
However Moorabool is among the least affected council areas in the state, with just three cases since the virus first struck. Melton has had 44 cases, however just one of those is currently active.
By contrast, the Melbourne Council area has recorded 109 cases, and Stonnington in the eastern suburbs has had 94.
Cr Edwards said it was a mystery why Queenslanders were being warned about Moorabool.
“There is a lot of confusion as to how Moorabool ended up on this list,” Cr Edwards said.
“But we’re calling on the Queensland government to check the map again and take Moorabool off as a hotspot, as they must have confused our shire with another shire.
“Being named on this list has caused some confusion and anger in our community and we ask that Queensland has another look at its reasoning behind creating its hotspots and, if they need such a list, to ensure it is an accurate reflection of where there are COVID-19 clusters.
“Once any border restrictions are eased and people start traveling intestate again, we’d love to welcome Queenslanders to come and have a hike in our state parks and gorges, enjoy a red wine at one of our wineries, enjoy our art trails and have a coffee at one of our many cafes across the shire.”
