Delivery curfews are being lifted to allow Tamworth supermarkets to restock following mass "panic-buying" by residents.
Tamworth Region Mayor Col Murray has announced an immediate temporary blanket exemption from any existing delivery curfews in place for supermarkets across the Tamworth Local Government Area.
“It’s a logical decision in these extraordinary circumstances we are currently experiencing – it’s sensible we clear the way for deliveries to be made to local supermarkets,” he said.
“The exemption means we are eliminating red tape because individual supermarkets will not need to apply for a modification to their current consent.”
Major retailers have been advocating for council delivery curfews across the nation to be temporarily lifted to allow distributors to replenish stock.
“This is a responsible move to balance the amenity of our local residents with the need to facilitate restocking and delivery to supermarkets and shops of essential household items, as well as to play a role in minimising distress due to stock shortages and to help restore confidence,” Cr Murray said.
Visitor information outlets at Nundle and Manilla will be closed for the foreseeable future in a move aimed at minimising possible health risks from COVID-19 exposure to volunteers.
Most of the volunteers are older residents of those communities.
Their last day operating was yesterday said council's acting manager of strategic planning, Kay Burnes.
"Given the age demographics of the volunteers it is the best solution to addressing a control measure relative to the Coronavirus,” she said.
For the same reason, Moonbi Museum - a Council-owned facility run by a volunteer committee under Section 355 of the Local Government Act - has closed its doors.
The Tamworth Regional Film and Sound Archive, also a Section 355 Committee, has suspended meeting in its archive room in Ray Walsh House for the time being although some of the members will be working on projects from home.
In line with social distancing guidelines issued by the Australian Government, the Nundle Parents and Citizens Association has postponed the 2020 Great Nundle Dog Race that was to be held on May 3.
The event has been rescheduled for October 25.
The annual visit by Tamworth’s 2020 Queen of Country Music to the Tussock Country - the Gore District Council country music festival in May will not take place this year following the event’s cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Various events at Council entertainment and sporting facilities and have been postponed or cancelled. This is changing several times each day.