Big Win: Shellharbour Now Regional

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has today welcomed the decision that the Shellharbour Local Government Area will now be considered regional and not subject to the new permit scheme.

Mr Ward has today supported calls from Business Illawarra for Wollongong LGA to be removed from Greater Sydney.

Mr Ward announced the Government’s intention to remove Shellharbour on Tuesday following his negotiations with the NSW Government.

“It’s a win for common sense and I’m pleased that Shellharbour will now be classified as regional,” Mr Ward said.

“This means that people in Shellharbour will not need a permit if they are undertaking essential work. The only occasion someone from regional NSW would require a permit is if they are entering a Local Government Area of concern.

I will be holding an on-line Town Hall to discuss these changes this evening. Anyone from my electorate is welcome to register at: https://www.garethwardmp.com.au/covid_permit_zoom

To apply for a permit, please contact Service NSW.

“I also agree with calls from Business Illawarra Executive Director Adam Zarth for the NSW Government to remove Wollongong LGA from Greater Sydney within the Public Health Orders.

“I agree that local businesses in Wollongong have every right to be disappointed that Wollongong LGA has been retained in the Greater Sydney definition. We are the Illawarra, not Sydney.

“I would like to publicly acknowledge and thank Mayor Saliba from Shellharbour City Council. We have worked together to achieve the removal of Shellharbour from the Metro definition. This is a victory for common sense and bipartisan solutions,” Mr Ward concluded.