Robe Mayor Alison Nunan has praised the majority of the seaside businesses for complying with COVID-related regulations.

“I would like to thank the majority of our businesses that put compliance above all else,” wrote Ms Nunan in her first report for 2022.

Her comments came a few days after police announced that licensed premises at Robe had been fined $5000 for a late night COVID trading breach.

The report of Mayor Nunan had a positive tone overall.

“It has been quite the start to 2022 with COVID dominating things so far,” she said.

“Some super spreading events over the New Year’s period meant many of our visitors went home with more than just good memories.

“It also left some businesses both here, across the region and across the border either shut or understaffed as close contacts and positive cases were all isolating or awaiting test results.

“No doubt all of our elected members and council employees were dealing with phone calls, texts and emails during this time as our community found themselves in a rapidly changing situation at the busiest time of the year.

“I would like to congratulate council chief executive James Holyman and tourism and events manager Molly Murdock in particular for their efforts during this time.”

Mayor Nunan said the community was fortunate to get the COVID testing clinic set up at the Robe Football Club when it was really needed

“It certainly helped as people were not having to travel across the region chasing tests,” she said.

“Thankfully no one, as far as I know, had to be hospitalised, our ambulance service limped through on one volunteer for a few days while our paramedic waited on test results, our medical clinic managed under duress, the childcare centre closed while they did a deep clean after having a child test positive and despite the chemist having to shut, they put in place alternatives for their clients.

“I think it would be fair to say the effects of COVID were far reaching.

“As the spread slowed significantly, positive case numbers declined and the Robe testing clinic has now closed as the demand is greatly reduced.

“Thanks to Nick McBride MP and Premier Steven Marshall for their assistance in getting the clinic here.

“There were definitely cancellations across the accommodation sector however many of these were filled quickly.

“The tuna boats are back in our bay, the (newly-sealed) path that caused so much controversy is being well utilised and we continue to get letters of thanks, the community solution to the bottle and can business closing has worked well and there are many happy visitors in our town.

“As always, there are plenty of positives amongst it all.”