By Laura Michell
Streets and high-touch surfaces across Whittlesea and Hume will receive extra cleaning and disinfecting as part of a state government cleaning blitz.
The government has created 1500 short-term positions for cleaners who will work across 26 suburban and 10 regional communities, including Whittlesea and Hume.
The cleaners will target public infrastructure, retail centres and shopping strips, wiping down door handles, street benches, traffic light buttons, handrails, bins and bicycle stands to help build community confidence as the staged lifting of restrictions begins.
The cleaning blitz is part of the government’s $500 million Working for Victoria initiative hich has helped Whittlesea council create about 260 jobs for people who have lost their jobs or been stood down as a result of COVID-19.
Whittlesea council said the cleaning blitz not only reassured the community that local streets are being carefully cleaned, but also provided jobs for those who needed them.
Hume mayor Carly Moore said the cleaners will be working across Hume seven days a week for the next month.
“We welcomed the announcement from the Victorian government which is providing immediate jobs for residents whose employment has been impacted by COVID-19,” she said.
“The cleaning blitz has a focus on keeping the community safe and is complementing our own cleaning regime in high traffic areas.”
Jobs, Innovation and Trade Minister Martin Pakula said the blitz provided immediate work and wages so people can pay their bills while they search for more permanent positions.
“We’re taking the first cautious steps when it comes to easing restrictions, and the jobs that will be done as part of this program are an important part of that process.”
