Services and Businesses Embrace Restrictions

Daniel waiting in the yellow circles outside Towers Drug Co, as part the social distancing protocols at the pharmacy PHOTO TWH

There are an increasing number of changes to our way of life – as local businesses and all levels of government grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council offices have closed, playgrounds and skate parks are off-limits, funeral parlours, churches and libraries have closed, our hospitality outlets are battling to survive on take-away sales and Bourke and Brewarrina, like all communities across Australia, are in shutdown mode.

There is growing pressure from residents and councils to isolate regional areas and quarantine small towns.

Brewarrina Mayor Phillip O’Connor is already instigating a system to record the movements of all non-residents through the Shire.

The list of changes and closures grows daily and includes the closure of the Bourke and Brewarrina Shire offices including front desk operations and the Service NSW Agency at Bourke. Bourke staff will be available by phone - 6830 8000 - to answer enquiries but that may change should state and federal requirements become more stringent for the purposes of public safety.

Bourke Shire General Manager Ross Earl said residents could email council at bourkeshire@bourke.nsw.gov.au and for Service NSW for the vehicle registration renewals go to service.nsw.gov.au.

Bourke Council has suspended the vehicle registration inspection service until further notice. Vital services such as rubbish collection, street sweeping and water and sewer services will continue operating as ‘essential services’ for human health, even if the current situation significantly worsen.

Read more in the printed edition of the Western Herald.