City’s response to COVID-19

The City of Armadale has implemented a number of initiatives to assist in the active response to COVID-19, supporting schools, local businesses and not-for-profit community groups.

City of Armadale Mayor Ruth Butterfield said it was important the City took an active role in the COVID-19 response and recovery.

“As a local government organisation, it’s important for us to direct resources to assist those in the community who need help the most.

“I’m amazed and inspired by the response of our community and staff. Everyone is taking care of one other and finding interesting ways to keep community spirits up. The City’s staff are finding new ways to safely deliver essential services and assist vulnerable members of our community,” she said.

Following a directive from the Federal and State governments, and to comply with social distancing measures, it was necessary to close a number of community facilities, including the City’s Libraries, the Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre and the Administration Building. However, this has opened up new and innovative ways of working, particularly in the digital space.

Many of our services have been moved to phone, email or online platforms, to ensure we can continue to serve the City’s community during this difficult time. Recent initiatives, including delivering Story Time online as well as holding our first online fitness class have been keeping our community connected, healthy and engaged.

The City has also partnered with local primary schools, providing stationery and activity packs, to assist 2830 children from Westfield Park, Challis, Neerigen, Willandra, Gwynne Park and Grovelands Primary. These materials were identified by the local schools to provide additional support during this time.

Through grant funding, the City has been able to support not-for-profit community service groups to increase their capacity to assist vulnerable persons in our community. Working alongside Meals on Wheels WA and Dale Cottages, the City is hoping to build capacity to expand meal delivery services to an increased number of elderly residents in the City of Armadale.

Thanks to a funding grant, the Champion Centre’s food security programme has been able to increase capacity. The funding will allow the City of Armadale’s Aboriginal Development Team to purchase food and groceries to supply an additional 50 boxes of food each week (total of 200 boxes) for eight weeks for vulnerable resident’s including families, older people and homeless people.

The City was fortunate to be able to provide support to the Armadale Health Campus preparations just this week by coordinating access to mobile toilets and showers for medical staff, with assistance from DFES and the charity “One Voice.”

The City’s Chief Executive Officer, Joanne Abbiss said, ”This is just the start – there’s more we can do and we won’t get everything right – but we are challenging ourselves to find more ways to help our community at this time.”