Darwin council executive Ron Grinsell stranded in Brisbane due to border restrictions
DARWIN council’s general manager of engineering and city services Ron Grinsell has been left stranded in Queensland, with those coming into the Territory required to pay a $2500 quarantine fee.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
DARWIN council’s general manager of engineering and city services Ron Grinsell has been left stranded in Queensland, with those coming into the Territory required to pay a $2500 quarantine fee.
The NT News understands Mr Grinsell returned to Brisbane for personal matters but was prepared with the necessary equipment to continue his work from interstate.
A council spokeswoman confirmed quarantine fees would never be paid by Darwin council but Mr Grinsell was under no pressure to return given he could still perform his job from interstate, similar to other staff working from home, to a satisfactory level.
MORE TOP NEWS
Rapid Creek Markets resume with new safety measures in place
Thousands get Litchfield fix as virus restrictions ease
Darwin’s resident dinosaur Big Kev back from extinction
“City of Darwin is unable to comment in relation to individual staff circumstances but can confirm Mr Grinsell is undertaking his role remotely and that he is required to comply with the federal and Northern Territory governments’ requirements for quarantine,” she said.
Mr Grinsell joined Tuesday night’s council meeting from Brisbane via video conferencing.
It is not known when Mr Grinsell intends to, or is expected to, return to Darwin.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner has continuously said the borders would be the last thing to reopen.
“Putting the Territory first, means opening the borders will happen last, dead last,” he said at Thursday’s press conference.
“I don’t have a date for them to open. I’m not thinking about that right now.
“They’ll open when it is safe to do so, not a second sooner.”
Full access to our journalism – just $1 for first 28 days
Mr Grinsell has served as an executive manager for just over a year, beginning the role in February last year.
Originally published as Darwin council executive Ron Grinsell stranded in Brisbane due to border restrictions