The Blayney Local Government Area is by no means a large one, and with only one supermarket within the shire the shopping options during the current lockdown are limited.
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It is with this in mind that Blayney mayor Scott Ferguson has clarified the travel permissions available for shire residents who live on the outer reaches of the shire.
"The police are really worried about this outbreak," he said, "It's not like last year, this is next level."
For residents that live in areas such as Lyndhurst, Newbridge or around Forest Reefs Cr Ferguson said that the police expressed that they are more interested in residents going to their nearest shopping centre.
"They don't want to see people travelling an hour to do their shopping or going anywhere other than to their nearest supermarket," he said.
"If you see a special in Cowra and you live in Blayney township, you can't go there."
For example people living in Millthorpe will need to shop at Bernardi's MarketPlace whilst those that live out near Forest Reefs and are closer to Orange can go there to shop.
The same goes for people who live on properties around the edge of Lyndhurst may head to Cowra and if on properties in the area around Newbridge and towards Bathurst the best option could be Bathurst.
According to Google Maps for those living in Lyndhurst village, Blayney is 28 kilometres and Cowra is 41 kilometres.
Newbridge village is 16 kilometres from Blayney and 30 kilometres from Bathurst.
Forest Reefs is 22 kilometres from Blayney and 21 kilometres from Aldi in Orange.
Cr Ferguson said the onus is on residents to do the research as to which shops are closer, as the police will not hold back on issuing fines for those that are flouting the rules.
"If in doubt, simply come into Blayney or call the police and ask them," he said.
"The police are going full level enforcement across all the LGA's. It will cost you $3,000 unless you have a really good excuse"
Other conditions of travel include:
- Only one person per household may leave their home to shop for food or other goods and services (you may take a dependent person with you if that person cannot be left at home on their own).
- If travelling by a private vehicle, do not share a car with other people you do not live with.
- You may take a dependent person with you if that person cannot be left at home on their own.
- Go directly to and from the shops to get what you need. Do not spend time looking at other things.
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Mark Logan
Started working in newspapers in the 1990's in the darkroom of the Pastoral Times in Deniliquin before moving to Millthorpe in 2003. Soon after arriving I started as a photographer at the CWD. Now a journalist at the Blayney Chronicle.
Started working in newspapers in the 1990's in the darkroom of the Pastoral Times in Deniliquin before moving to Millthorpe in 2003. Soon after arriving I started as a photographer at the CWD. Now a journalist at the Blayney Chronicle.
