Ward Wins On Permit Program

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP has secured a major win regarding the proposed COVID permit program for Shellharbour, coming into effect from 12.01am this Saturday 21st August.

Mr Ward confirmed that residents in the Shellharbour Local Government Area will not be included in the permit system, which means that people travelling from Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and Wollongong to Shellharbour will require a permit.

Reasons for travel requiring a permit include:

1. authorised workers from LGAs of concern;
2. inspecting real estate. Any person inspecting real estate in the regions must now genuinely need a home to live in (no investment properties); and
3. travelling to your second home. This is now only allowed if you are using the home for work accommodation or if the home requires urgent maintenance and repairs (if so, only one person may travel there).

“This also means that where travel in regional NSW is allowed under the PHOs for Shellharbour residents, they won’t need to get a permit,” Mr Ward said.

“To be absolutely clear, people in regional NSW are not required to obtain a permit when traveling into Wollongong, the Blue Mountains, Greater Sydney or regional NSW when leaving their home with a reasonable excuse under the Public Health Orders.

“I am thrilled that Shellharbour has finally been recognised as being separate from Wollongong and Sydney. This has been my view right from the very start and I have never stopped fighting for our community.

“My sincere thanks to the NSW Premier and the NSW Health Minister for listening to the concerns of our community.

“As a local MP, I have taken the fight up to ensure the voice of our community is heard at the heart of Government. I’m pleased I’ve been able to deliver this common-sense outcome.

“Whilst this is a win for common sense, I would encourage everyone across our community to continue to get vaccinated, get tested and stay at home. This is the only pathway to victory for our State,” Mr Ward concluded.