Tara Murray
Brimbank residents and businesses continue to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic a new report has found.
Brimbank council’s latest COVID-19 community impact analysis looked at the prolonged impact of the pandemic and the short lockdowns that continue to disrupt recovery in 2021.
Data found that there was strong compliance with public health orders in Brimbank, however the uncertainty and rapid changes to information about restrictions and vaccinations give rise to some confusion and frustration.
It also found that unemployment has broadly improved but continues to present a challenge in parts of Brimbank.
It revealed that in May, 9.2 per cent of Brimbank residents were on JobSeeker, up from 7.1 per cent in March, 2020.
In greater Melbourne, 5.4 per cent of residents are on JobSeeker.
Kings Park, St Albans and Sunshine North had the highest number of residents on JobSeeker, but those numbers were well down on the 16 and 17 per cent recorded in July last year.
Council surveys conducted throughout the pandemic from a wide range of service providers have consistently identified mental health, isolation and loneliness, and family violence in the top issues that clients seek assistance with.
“These responses suggest that the impact on individual wellbeing and on relationships continues to be felt, even as restrictions ease and signs of recovery emerge,” the report said.
