Northern Rivers Mayors unite to ask NSW Govt to lift lockdown

Published on 03 September 2021

Mayors from the Byron, Ballina, Tweed, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Kyogle councils have united to ask the NSW Government to lift the lock-down for the region at midnight on 10 September.

There have been no COVID-19 cases recorded in the Northern Rivers since early August when three members of the same family, who allegedly travelled from Sydney to the region, tested positive for the virus.

Speaking on behalf of the mayors, Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon said that despite everyone’s fears that COVID-19 would spread through our communities this has not happened and with no more positive cases, and very random traces of the virus found in sewage in Ballina, Lennox Head and Byron Bay, everyone would like the NSW Government to lift the lockdown.

“Lifting the lockdown would allow our businesses to reopen, people to get back to work and our communities to reconnect,” Mayor Lyon said.

“While we are not experiencing anything remotely like the restrictions in parts of Sydney, our small businesses really are suffering and allowing them to trade again would be a huge boost to confidence across the Northern Rivers.

“A blanket approach to the regions is not appropriate, particularly for border communities who have so many synergies with south east Queensland,” Mayor Lyon said.

It’s hoped a lift in the lock-down would also help in the border negotiations with the Queensland Government.

The Mayors are also asking the NSW Government to do more to protect the Northern Rivers region by tightening the rules that allow people to leave hot-spots like the greater Sydney area.

“We have the situation where people are being allowed to leave Sydney to come to places like Byron Bay to film commercials or televisions programs and that seems quite ludicrous when someone from the Lismore Local Government Area can’t go to a shop in Ballina or visit a friend in Casino.

“Until things stabilise in Sydney and until we get our vaccination rates up we ask that travel outside of Sydney be limited to only the very essential or for compassionate reasons,” Mayor Lyon said.

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