The announcement that Shellharbour will form part of regional NSW and not Greater Sydney when a new permit system comes into force on Saturday has led to uncertainty and frustration in the Illawarra.
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Deputy Premier John Barilaro confirmed the decision on Thursday, after Kiama MP Gareth Ward revealed the move earlier this week.
Residents of Greater Sydney will require a permit to enter regional NSW, which has led to concerns that Wollongong residents who need to go to Shellharbour for work or other necessary reasons will need permission.
However, on Thursday Mr Barilaro said a permit would not be required when people were travelling to a regional location that was within 50 kilometres of Sydney.
This means Wollongong residents will not need a permit to travel to Shellharbour, nor anywhere else within 50 kilometres of Greater Sydney.
Shellharbour residents will not need a permit to travel anywhere else in regional NSW.
When a person from Greater Sydney does require a permit for travel to regional NSW, they will also need to get tested for COVID no more than seven days before they travel.
The Illawarra's Labor MPs Paul Scully, Anna Watson and Ryan Park slammed the announcement, saying it was made without any input from them and made "no sense".
"The decision is not supported by the COVID case numbers with the number of positive cases and venues of concern in the Shellharbour local government area outnumbering those in Wollongong in recent weeks," they said in a statement.
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They also called on the state government to include Wollongong in regional NSW too.
Mr Barilaro said the decision to remove Shellharbour from Greater Sydney was made to limit the 50-kilometre buffer within which Greater Sydney residents could travel without a permit, to protect regional NSW.
It is unclear exactly how rules the government flagged last weekend around authorised workers from LGAs of concern, travelling to inspect real estate and travelling for urgent maintenance on a second home will apply.
The Illawarra Mercury requested further detail on the rules and requirements of the permit system, but a Service NSW spokesperson responded that more information would be available on the Service NSW website soon.
Mr Barilaro said any decisions about regional NSW moving forward would also apply to Shellharbour and the Central Coast.
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However, it remains to be seen whether Shellharbour will be freed from lockdown at the same time as other regional areas.
Mr Barilaro said the government would look at lifting restrictions on a LGA by LGA basis, but based on Shellharbour's current numbers, it would remain under lockdown.
Eight COVID cases remain active in Shellharbour, while there are six in Wollongong.
The lockdown across regional NSW has been extended for another week to August 28, the current expiry date of the lockdown in Greater Sydney, as new cases continue to emerge in some areas.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
