NSW Government Weekly Update - 9 July 2021

9 July 2021

STATEMENT ON COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

Given the growing number of infectious cases in the community and unlinked cases of community transmission, COVID-19 restrictions are being tightened across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour.
Since 5pm, Friday, 9 July the following additional restrictions have been in place:
- Outdoor public gatherings limited to two people (excluding members of the same household);
- People must stay in their Local Government Area or within 10kms of home for exercise and outdoor recreation, with no carpooling between non-household members;
- Browsing in shops is prohibited, plus only one person per household, per day may leave the home for shopping;
- Funerals limited to ten people in total (this will take effect from Sunday, 11 July).
The four reasons to leave your home remain in place:
- Shopping for food or other essential goods and services (one person only);
- Medical care or compassionate needs (only one visitor can enter another residence to fulfil carers’ responsibilities or provide care or assistance, or for compassionate reasons);
- Exercise with no more than 2 (unless members of the same household);
- Essential work, or education, where you cannot work or study from home.
Restrictions in regional NSW will remain unchanged.
For the latest information visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.

POLICE TO BEGIN HIGH-VISIBILITY COMPLIANCE OPERATION

An additional 100 police officers have been deployed to South-West Sydney from to ensure strict compliance with COVID-19 Public Health Orders.
The police response has been elevated, including resources from the Dog and Mounted Unit, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, PolAir, Police Transport Command and general duties officers from the South West Metropolitan Region, to protect the community from those who seek to flout the orders.
Police are appealing to the public to report any suspected breaches of the public health order or behavior which may put the health and safety of the community at risk to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

SCHOOLS RETURN UNDER COVID SETTINGS

Based on Health advice, the first week of Term 3 for schools in NSW will either be under a learning from home model or with strict COVID restrictions.
Beyond the first week of Term 3 strict COVID safe restrictions will be in place.
For schools inside areas impacted by the stay-at-home orders (Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour):
- For the first four days of Term 3 students will be learning from home.
- This will stay in place until Friday 16 July.
- Schools will remain open for students and families who need it.
- Masks will be required for all staff in all school settings, and students from Year 7 upwards.
For schools outside areas impacted by the stay-at-home orders (Regional NSW):
- For the first week of Term 3 students will be back at school for face to face learning.
- Schools will restrict non-essential visitors at school sites, including parents.
- Adjustments will be made to some activities, such as choir and band.
- Masks will be recommended for all staff in all school settings, and students from Year 7 upwards.
More information is available at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/advice-for-families.

COVID EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDING TO SUPPORT VULNERABLE MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITIES

Emergency relief funding is available for multicultural community organisations and specialist NGOs to support vulnerable migrant and refugee communities during the current COVID-19 restrictions.
This funding will support up to 50 multicultural community organisations with a total of $250,000 to deliver grassroots emergency support projects in response to the pandemic.
Separately, $750,000 will support eligible specialist NGOs to continue providing vital support to vulnerable members of the community with a focus on asylum seekers through a select tender process.
Applications for the $250,000 COVID-19 quick support grants opened on Tuesday 6 July 2021 and will close at 5pm on Thursday 15 July 2021. For more information and to apply, see here: https://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/.

FLOOD RECOVERY SUPPORT AVAILABLE THROUGH PERSONAL APPOINTMENT SERVICE

Communities impacted by the March 2021 storms and floods can still access personalised recovery support by booking a one-on-one appointment with a Service NSW customer care specialist.
The service provides reassurance to flood-affected communities that support will continue throughout their recovery journey following the closure of temporary Flood Recovery Centres.
The appointment service will also provide the benefit of enabling one-on-one support to continue being available despite the impacts of COVID-19.
To book an appointment with a customer care specialist visit the Service NSW storms and floods customer care website.

LATEST INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS FUNDING NOW OPEN

The next round of the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program has opened, with community organisations impacted by COVID-19 encouraged to apply for funding.
The NSW Government offers grants to communities across NSW to support the building, renovation and fit-out of local community infrastructure. Each year $12.5 million is available for projects across arts and culture, sport and recreation infrastructure and projects that assist communities with essential infrastructure and disaster readiness.
Infrastructure Grants are made possible through the NSW Government’s Clubgrants Category 3 Fund, which reinvests a contribution from the state’s registered clubs gaming machine profits back into community projects.
Since 2015, the NSW Government has funded more than 441 community projects worth $73 million under the Infrastructure Grants program.
Applications are open until Monday, 26 July 2021. To find out more information or to apply, please visit www.responsiblegambling.nsw.gov.au.

MICE PLAGUE HOUSEHOLD AND SMALL BUSINESS REBATES NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

Households and small businesses impacted by the mouse plague across regional NSW can now claim rebates as part of the NSW Government’s $150 million Mouse Control Program by visiting the Service NSW website.
Eligible households can claim up to $500 and small businesses up to $1,000 to help meet the cost of mouse baits, traps and cleaning materials bought after 1 February 2021.
Eligible customers can make a claim for the household or small business rebate via the Service NSW website, where they can upload receipts for mouse bait, trap and cleaning purchases dating back to 1 February 2021.
Customers wanting to claim the rebate by calling the Service NSW hotline should expect longer than usual call waiting times, due to the current COVID-19 situation. For further details about the mouse rebate program, including eligibility and the claims process, go to www.nsw.gov.au/mice.

STAND FOR YOUR COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN TO INCREASE DIVERSITY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

People from all walks of life are being encouraged by the NSW Government to stand for their community and run for their council election as part of a new campaign to increase diversity in local government.
Stand for Your Community – Diversity Counts campaign has been launched to increase the number of candidates from under-represented groups at the upcoming Local Government Elections on Saturday 4 September.
More information about the Stand for Your Community – Diversity Counts campaign including videos, promotional materials and other key information and resources can be found on the Office of Local Government website at www.olg.nsw.gov.au/public/about-councils/become-a-councillor/stand-for-your-community-diversity-counts.