What’s open and what’s not during Northern Rivers lockdown

While everyone is urged to stay safe and stay home, here’s a guide to what’s open and what’s not if you need those essential services.

LOCKDOWN: A list of the essential retail and other services open during lockdown,

As the Northern Rivers comes to terms with the current snap lockdown, here’s a list of what’s still open and on and what has been cancelled around the region.

Visiting these essential services will be under strict conditions including mandatory mask wearing, QR code check-in and out and social distancing.

Even if you have a written exemption from wearing a mask, please consider arranging for someone to collect your essential shopping needs.

Blood donations

Lismore Red Cross Lifeblood has hundreds of appointments and invites anyone feeling fit and well to contact them about making an appointment to donate blood or plasma.

“In the past few weeks we’ve experienced a record number of people across the nation cancelling their donation appointments at the last minute leaving us no time to find people to take their place,” a Lismore Lifeblood spokeswoman said.

“Lifeblood currently has over 300 appointments available at the Lismore Donor Centre over the next two weeks.”

Contact Lifeblood online at lifeblood.com.au.

Covid testing

A list of COVID-19 testing clinics can read here. Clinics include at Lismore Base an Casino Hospital, as well as respiratory clinics at Ballina, Kyogle, Lennox Head, Mullumbimby and Murwillumbah.

Emergency Services

Ambulance, Emergency Departments at local hospitals, Fire Brigades and Police will continue to respond to triple-0 calls.

For non-emergency incidents call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

Councils

Ballina

Ballina Shire Council Customer Service Centre. Staff are available to take inquiries via email [e-mail] or phone [phone] from 8.15am to 4.30pm (Mon-Fri).

Alstonville, Ballina and Lennox Head libraries are closed. The eLibrary is available, providing access to reading materials in downloadable digital formats from the Richmond Tweed Regional Library website at www.rtrl.nsw.gov.au

Visitor Information Centre is closed but staff can be emailed [e-mail] or phone [phone].

Community facilities are closed. Ballina Indoor Sports Centre, Lennox Head Cultural Centre, Ballina Surf Club, and Kentwell Community Centre. For inquiries or bookings phone [phone].

Ballina War Memorial Pool and Alstonville Aquatic Centre are closed.

Northern Rivers Community Gallery is closed,

The Salvage Shed at the Ballina Waste Management Centre is closed.

Byron

Byron Shire Council’s office in Mullumbimby will not be open to the public until Tuesday 17 August. Staff will however still be working from 8:30am to 4:30pm and will be available to help people via phone on 02 6626 7000 or email [e-mail].

Public libraries in Byron Bay, Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads will also be closed until 17 August, 2021.

Lismore City Council

August council meeting of Tuesday August 10, 2021 is closed to the public., but people can attend via its Facebook page and/or web page. Those who want to address Councillors during Public Access are asked to fill in the Public Access Application online and staff will then be in contact with a Zoom link.

Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre – The Wyrallah Rd and Nimbin Transfer Station are closed including the Revolve Shop and CDS Bulk Drop Off.

GSAC – The Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre is closed

Art Gallery – The Lismore Regional Gallery is closed.

Lismore City Hall is closed.

Council Depots such as at Brunswick St and Wyrallah Rd, are closed to public access

Library – All libraries in the affected Local Government Areas including Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley are closed. However, the eLibrary is open, providing access to reading materials in downloadable digital formats from the RTRL website www.rtrl.nsw.gov.au or the Richmond Tweed Library app

The Corporate Centre in Oliver Ave, Goonellabah is closed to the public but some Council staff will continue to work from the building and people can continue to phone Council and uses online services at www.lismore.nsw.gov.au

Council activities that will continue to operate are:

• Council parks and open spaces remain open, however, all play equipment, barbecues, skateparks, exercise equipment and similar are closed and cannot be used.

• Roadworks, with the works program continuing, subject to resources

• The Lismore Airport, with a reduced number of flights

• The Blakebrook Quarry

• Lismore Cemetery and Crematorium, with some new health protocols in place

• Internal departments such as finance, planning and development, IT and HR

Members of the public are reminded they can go online to pay rates and water bills, order and pay for conveyancing certificates and even pay invoices such as those due for development applications.

People who cannot access online services should phone the Contact Centre on 6625 0500.

Council staff are being redeployed where necessary and/or shared across the region.

As part of business continuity many staff have been set up to work from home so that services can continue.

Council is committed to maintaining services wherever possible during this difficult time.

The priority is the health and safety of the Lismore community and Council employees. Council thanks members of the public for their patience and understanding.

For further information on the lockdown, go to https://nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/

For updates on Council services, follow Council’s Facebook page or go to www.lismore.nsw.gov.au

Richmond Valley

Richmond Valley Council will close several facilities and restrict some services during the NSW Government-imposed seven-day lockdown.

Council’s 24-hour hotline – 6660 0300 – is fully operational, with all inquiries handled by experienced staff.

In the interests of public safety, Council’s customer contact centres in Casino and Evans Head will close, as will all waste facilities, library branches, including the mobile library, visitor information centres, the Casino Community and Cultural Centre and Indoor Sports Stadium, and public swimming pools until further notice.

Council’s parks will remain open for exercise and regular kerbside bin pick up services will continue as normal. Commercial waste generated in the Richmond Valley LGA will still be accepted at Council-owned waste facilities.

The closure measures are to ensure the health and safety of both staff and residents, and we thank the community for its co-operation.

There are a number of ways residents can pay their rates and charges online, such as using Australia Post’s online facility, or a financial institution’s BPay service.

Sending an inquiry to [e-mail] or via the website https://richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au/contact/ are also options.

Developers, consultants, business owners, builders, and homeowners should all be familiar with the NSW Planning Portal to lodge development applications and complying development certificates.

The Richmond-Upper Clarence Regional Library has a great range of eResources available including ebooks, eAudiobooks and Beamafilms, which are all available from https://richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au/community …/libraries-2/ or the Library app.

This week’s two NRLX livestock sales will not go ahead. The sales, originally slated for tomorrow and Friday, were cancelled in the best interests of vendors, buyers and community safety. At this stage, sales will recommence Wednesday 18 August. Vendors and buyers should contact their livestock agents for more information as the week progresses.

Lismore Car Boot Market

The event of August 15 has been cancelled and organisers have said via social media they hope the popular car boot market will resume on Sunday, September 5, 2021.

Lismore Central

On social media Lismore Central stated: “As per NSW Government health advice in response to Covid-19 the following restrictions are in place from 6pm Monday 9th August 2021; supermarkets and essential services will stay open.”

Retail food services including restaurants, cafes and fast-food outlets will offer ONLY takeaway services.

Non-essential services such as cinemas, entertainment and recreation venues, hairdressers, beauty and personal care services must close.

Masks are still mandatory to be worn inside our shopping centre.

Don’t forget to check-in using the QR code services provided and please stay home if you are feeling unwell and seek medical advice.

“We thank you for your support during this time and remain dedicated to #stoppingthespread.”

Lismore Farmer’s Market

On social media the LFM advised all attending mist check-in in with QR code or sign in, wear a mask over your nose and mouth; if you have an exemption please show it when shopping or organise for someone else to shop for you; Only touch what you purchase; adhere to 1.5m distancing and Shop and go.

There will be no tables and chairs out for customers, no live music.

Any regular LFM shoppers who are feeling especially vulnerable at this time please email [e-mail] and we will try to help with your shopping requirements.

Lismore Square

Lismore Square advised via social media that it “will remain OPEN during our core trading hours for essential services and Click & Collect during this period.

“Please ensure you wear your mask while in centre, maintain social distancing, and use the QR codes to sign in at the centre and retail stores.

“For specific retailer trading hours, please contact stores directly.”

Medical clinics

Most medical clinics with continue to operate during lockdown, check with your GP if you need to make an appointment.

North Coast Mud Trail

The organisers of the popular ceramics event have advised, “like everyone in the Northern Rivers, we have had to put things on hold. So we are postponing this weekend’s Mud Trail till a later date. If you have picked up a booklet already hang on to it and watch this space!”

(Side Note: “It just gives us a little more time to make more unbelievably gorgeous ceramic pieces for you to enjoy! Thanks for sticking with us!”

Schools

All primary and secondary schools, TAFE and universities in the impacted LGA’s are closed. For specific information you are advised to contact the education provider directly.

Service stations

Petrol stations are considered an essential service and will be open.

SG Asian Supermarket

Ob social media the store posed: “Dear customers:

1. We’re open as usual

2. You need to check in

3. Wear a mask

As easy as one two three.”

Southern Cross University – the Lismore Campus will close and not re-open until 8am on Tuesday August 17, 2021, subject to Covid conditions at the time.

The only exceptions to the closure will be the SCU Health Clinic GP’s and Private Practitioners and the SCU Child Care Centre in order to deliver necessary services to the community (including our students and staff). Student Clinics at the SCU Health Clinic will be cancelled for the duration of the lockdown.

Sport

All sporting activities indoor and outdoor have been cancelled until at least August 17, 2021. Contact your club or local association to learn what arrangements they have made for lockdown concludes.

Supermarkets

Aldi, Coles and Woolworths supermarkets are open and remind all customers to kindly adhere to mandatory mask, QR code check in and out, hand sanitising and social distancing requirements. Check individual stores to confirm if they offer click and collect services.

For further information on the lockdown, go to https://nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/

If you run an essential business and we have missed listing it please advise us via [e-mail].