Pools and libraries: what will be open to the fully vaccinated from Monday
Not fully vaccinated yet? Here are some of the restrictions imposed on councils as part of the NSW Government Roadmap out of lockdowns.
Lismore
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Access to a number of public spaces owned by councils will be restricted to unvaccinated NSW people from Monday, as part of the next stage of the NSW Government Roadmap.
Changes to the Public Health Order in effect from Monday impacts councils’ operations and business areas, mostly indoor sports centres, pools and libraries.
Tips and waste services appear to be accessible to everyone, but not museums and art galleries.
Councils will have to abide by density limits for events and venues and make sure face masks are worn.
Councils will also have to take adequate precautions not to allow unvaccinated adults (more than 16 years of age) onto certain premises and implement stay-at-home orders if a person becomes infected.
Richmond Tweed Library branches will be restricted to Click and Collect services only, which allows members to reserve and safely collect library items.
Other library services such as Family History and Research Centre, access to PCs, printing services and physical browsing of the collection will not be available.
Councils have acknowledged that some people may not have had the opportunity to get their first or second vaccination yet, while others have chosen not to get vaccinated.
Lismore City Council
The Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre and the Nimbin Transfer Station will both operate as normal from Monday, October 11, with no vaccination restrictions.
Both waste facilities are deemed an essential service that do not fall within the State Government’s COVID-19 road map.
Those who are dropping of waste are asked to follow normal Covid-19 safety guidelines, including the mandatory wearing of masks, signing in and out with QR codes and maintaining social distance.
The Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre (GSAC) will be opening from Monday with restrictions put in place for some people, depending on their COVID-19 vaccination status.
Those wanting to access the Goonellabah facility must show proof of double vaccination or hold a medical contraindication certificate. Operating hours will be from 10.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and closed on Saturday and Sunday.
For Switch Fitness, to gain 24-hour access to the gym facility, members are asked to visit the front reception desk first during operating hours to show proof of double COVID-19 vaccination or a medical contraindication certificate. Access will then be granted.
No group fitness classes will operate however this will be reviewed weekly.
Recreation swimmers will be allowed to use the pool during the normal operating hours of the centre.
Learn to Swim classes will not open until Monday, November 1, and will resume with limited lessons in the afternoons only. Anyone wanting to confirm classes are advised to contact the Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic on 6625 5370. The cafe will re-open and creche will be closed until further notice.
For more information call 6625 0500.
Tweed Valley Council
A council spokesperson confirmed Stage 1 of the NSW Government’s road map for easing restrictions will begin on Monday, requiring changes to some Council operations.
“Under Stage 1 of the road map, all patrons attending selected council facilities will be required to be fully vaccinated or hold medical exemption,” the spokesperson said.
“This is in keeping with the latest NSW Health public health order, which takes effect on Monday. For more information, visit the NSW Government website.”
Tweed Council has developed a comprehensive plan which requires changes at some of council’s customer-facing facilities from Monday, including the requirement to be fully vaccinated to enter the following facilities:
- Tweed Regional Aquatic Centres (TRAC) at Murwillumbah, Kingscliff and South Tweed.
- Tweed Regional Art Gallery & Margaret Olley Centre
- Tweed Regional Museum
- Indoor venues at Council’s cemeteries
- Community centres at Banora Point and South Tweed, and Kingscliff Hall
- Markets that are council-approved on council land
- Visitor Information Centres
- Village community halls, places and spaces where they are used for certain activities including recreation facilities, weddings and funeral services
Council’s auditoria at Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads hold an additional requirement to ensure a child under the age of 16 attending these facilities must only do so if accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult household member.
Vaccination status will not be required at Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre which will continue to operate under Covid-Safe conditions for domestic and commercial operations.
Tweed JUNKtion Tip Shop will remain closed.
Council meetings will be held in the Harvard Room at Tweed Heads Administration Office. Anyone wishing to attend in person must pre-book their seats due to capacity restrictions. Meetings will also be livestreamed from council’s website.
Essential services including water and kerbside waste collection services continue to operate as normal.
For more information call 6670 2400.
Richmond Valley Council
From Monday, Richmond Valley Council will have an information desk outside of the Casino Administration Centre to assist the community in understanding the Public Health Order and what they are required to do, how they can access information and general guidance in relation to COVID-19 and freedom of movement.
The following Council-run facilities in the Richmond Valley will require evidence of one dose of vaccination from Monday:
From November 1 only those who are double vaccinated with evidence will be able to use these facilities until December 1:
- Casino Library
- Evans Head Library
- Swimming Pools
- Casino Indoor Sports Stadium
- Visitor Information Centres
Evidence of vaccination status will be required prior to entering the above areas.
Masks must be worn and QR code check-ins must be viewed before entering the areas. This applies across the entire Richmond Valley and the state of NSW.
A spokesperson said Richmond Valley Council is adhering to the Public Health Orders issued October 8 by the NSW Government.
“We do ask that you are kind to those asking for this information,” the spokesperson said.
“It is a government order that all business are required to adhere to.”
Richmond Valley Council will ban people from the premise if they do not adhere to above, or show disrespect to any staff working within these facilities.
For further information call 6660 0300.
Ballina Shire Council:
From Monday, all members of the public aged over 16 who attend the following facilities will be required to:
- Be fully vaccinated
- Sign in with the mandatory QR code (includes children)
- Wear a mask while indoors (persons aged over 12)
- Be prepared to provide evidence of exemption to police or authorised officers if these requirements cannot be met.
These entry conditions will be required at the following Council facilities:
- Alstonville Aquatic Centre
- Ballina Indoor Sports Centre
- Ballina Visitor Information Centre
- Ballina War Memorial Swimming Pool
- Lennox Head Cultural Centre
- Northern Rivers Community Gallery
- Ignite Studios
A council spokeswoman asked patrons entering these venues to be patient and respectful as staff adjust to the new requirements.
“Council would also like to congratulate our local community for their efforts over the past 18 months,” she said.
“More than 57 per cent of Ballina Shire residents over the age of 15 are fully vaccinated, and 87 per cent have received one dose. These vaccination rates are key to arming our community against COVID-19 and enjoying more freedoms.”
For more information about the NSW Public Health Order and the road map for easing restrictions visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19/easing-covid-19-restrictions.
For more information about Council facilities and COVID-19 updates visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/Covid-19-updates, or call 1300 864 444.
Kyogle Council
General Manager Graham Kennett said council is not proposing any restrictions other than what is imposed by the NSW Government through the Public Health Orders.
“The message for the local community in the Kyogle LGA is that we will be following the Public Health Orders that are in place at any given time, and doing our best to provide continuity of services to our community within those bounds,” he said.
“Whilst council will try to keep up to date information available around the services we deliver, everyone is urged to monitor the NSW Government information sources to try to keep up to date with the restrictions in place more generally.”
A social media post by council published on Friday confirmed only double vaccinated or exempted people will be able to use its facilities, such as swimming pools.
“Please remember this is not council’s decision. Please refrain from discussing political policies with our staff,” the post added.
For information call 6632 1611.
Byron Shire Council
Council announced via social media on Monday residents and visitors to Byron Shire must comply with the Public Health Orders when accessing some facilities.
“This includes being fully vaccinated, using a QR code to check-in, wearing a mask and social distancing,” the post reads.
The restrictions apply to Mullumbimby and Byron Bay pools, Cavanbah Centre, Tip shop at the Myocum Resource and Recovery Centre and Council Chambers.
There are no vaccination requirements for people entering council’s offices at Mullumbimby or the Myocum Resource and Recovery Centre.
Staff are available on the phone or email (02 6626 7000 or council@byron.nsw.gov.au) to help with enquiries.
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