Holidaymakers Put Port Stephens at Risk of Coronavirus

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Port Stephens community has expressed concerns regarding an influx of tourists in the Easter period despite Federal Government advice to avoid all non-essential travel due to the threat of COVID-19.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said accommodation providers have been encouraging travelers to self-isolate or avoid the spread of disease in tourist hotspots such as Port Stephens.

"Port Stephens has a beautiful and welcoming community," said Ms Washington. "But we also have a vulnerable community who need to be protected from this virus."

Communities such as Tea Gardens / Hawks Nest are among the oldest in Australia.

Ms Washington said the State Government must outline clear and unambiguous restrictions on movement for the sake of at-risk communities such as hers.

While those diagnosed with coronavirus or returned from overseas face police fines if they breach self-quarantine or public health orders, the distinction between what constitutes essential travel and what doesn't isn't so clear cut.

"The Victorian Government, the Queensland Government - they have made clear directions about caravaning and camping in their states on public land. We have not seen the same from the Premier, nor from the Prime Minister at a federal level."

Without official restrictions on non-essential travel, Ms Washington is urging tourists to make the right decision in the upcoming holiday season.

"In the current circumstances, we have to put lives before livelihood. This call is a very difficult one to make for everyone, but we just can't afford to have the influx of tourists that we usually see at Easter in these areas."

"My message to holidaymakers is very simple: please, protect Port Stephens, and postpone your trip."

There are currently 1219 confirmed cases of coronavirus in NSW, and 103 in the Hunter New England Health District, five of which were located in the Port Stephens LGA.

Image credit: https://www.portstephens.nsw.gov.au/

Kangaroo Fed Soap By Tourist Near Morisset Hospital

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Animal advocates are angry after a tourist was spotted feeding soap to a kangaroo near Morisset  Psychiatric hospital.

It comes after a string of incidents involving tourists feeding the kangaroos which gather on the private property, with another animal reportedly found with a plastic bread bag stuck on its head.

There have been reports in recent years of tourists being attacked by roos in the grounds of the hospital.

Jayne Cvetanoski from the Better Protection for Morisset Kangaroos group says tourists are ignoring bi-lingual signage at the facility warning people to not feed or touch the animals.

"This has been going on for a long, long time, however since the site has been promoted as a tourist attraction by Trip Advisor and various other social media outlets, we're seeing more tourists coming in by the busload and they are bringing in the food, so it's an ongoing long-term issue that's just getting worse,. The foodstuffs will ferment in their stomachs and cause them to vomit and things like that,"  she said.

Tourists Continue to Flock To Morisset Hospital Grounds To Feed Kangaroos. Picture: Lakes Mail