COVID-19: How we are responding

The safety of our community and employees is our top priority.

We welcome you, residents and visitors alike, to explore and enjoy our many Council venues at this time. While you do we ask that you also prioritise the safety of yourself, those around you and our community. Please help us keep our community safe by:

• Following all Public Health Orders currently being enforced by the NSW Government;
• Signing in at all Council venues; and,
• Follow all staff and signage instructions regarding safe hygiene and social distancing when at a Council venue.

All Council venues use the Service NSW QR code system. This system can be used by downloading the Service NSW app or by scanning the venues QR code and completing the Service NSW online form for that venue.

Tamworth Regional Council is monitoring developments relating to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) regularly and assessing any potential impact on regional services and events. All health enquiries should be directed through NSW Health.

We are following direction from the NSW Government related to the three step framework for a COVIDSafe Australia.

We continue to aim to maintain our normal level of service to residents and businesses but we do ask for the community’s patience during a time where Council is taking increased calls and queries. For Council's opening hours, please visit the Contact Us page. As the COVID-19 situation changes we will continue to follow the advice of NSW Health.

This web page will be updated regularly to include the most recent information as Council becomes aware of any changes to advice from NSW Health or other government agencies or as any further decisions are made that will impact our community.

To access COVID-19 advice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and remote communities, click here.

For a range of COVID-19 resources available in languages other than English, click here. 

Toyota Country Music Festival COVID-19 Information

Click here to find out more about COVID-19 information for the 2022 Toyota Country Music Festival

Facility Update - October 2021

Please see below the status of our facilities:

Where can I get tested?

To get tested in the Tamworth Region, visit one of the COVID-19 clinics listed below:

Laverty Pathology Tamworth walk in clinic

Located on the corner of Dampier and Hume streets
No appointment or referral required

Opening hours:  Weekdays 7.30am – 3.30pm
Saturdays 7.30am – 12.30pm.

Tamworth Respiratory Clinic

Located on Goonoo Goonoo Road. Enter carpark via Edgeroy Street and remain in your car. You will be contacted by mobile phone with further details. Alternate arrangements can be made for patients without private transport or a mobile phone.
Appointment required - call 6768 3288
Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 11:30am

Douglass Hanley Moir Pathology Tamworth

Located in Peel Street (near Darling Street)
Appointment required - call 1800 026 622
Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 8:30am to 4pm
Saturday - 8:30am to 10:30am

Tamworth Hospital Clinic

Appointment required - call 1800 881 568
Children under the age of 12 will not be tested at this clinic and should attend their nearest Emergency Department or local GP so a full medical assessment can be undertaken.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 8am to 12pm

When you get tested for COVID-19 it's free, quick and easy. Most people in NSW receive their test result within 24 hours, but please allow up to 48 hours.

Information on how to receive your test result, including how to register for SMS, is provided when you get tested.

Other testing locations can be found on the Department of Health website.

Keeping our community safe - COVIDSafe Plans

All Tamworth Regional Council venues, workplaces and premises comply with current Public Health Order requirements.

COVIDSafe Plans are available on request by contacting trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au or 02 6767 5555.

What are we doing to help?

• All surfaces are frequently sanitised including high touch surfaces.
• Venue and event capacity restrictions are currently in place.
• Patrons are required to sign in to assist with contact tracing upon entry to our venues. All venues have Service NSW QR Code signage for you to scan on arrival.
• Hand sanitiser is available to venue patrons upon entry.
• Spaces are marked to manage queuing and movement throughout Council venues.
• Health and safety guideline messaging is displayed throughout Council venues.
• Disposable face masks are available at no charge for visitors to a number of our venues – just ask one of our staff.
• Protective screens are in place at a number of customer service counters at our venues to protect both staff and patrons.
• We encourage cashless payments of entry fees where applicable.

Help us prevent the spread of COVID-19

• Practise physical distancing and avoid close contact with other people during your visit.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Use hand sanitiser upon entry and before exiting Council venues.
• Sneeze or cough into your elbow.
• Wear a face mask or covering as recommended by the NSW Government when out in public.
• Be understanding of any requests from our staff – they are there to help you enjoy your visit safely.
• If you are feeling unwell, please don’t attend a Council venue.
If you have experienced any identified COVID-19 in the last 14 days, have travelled to an identified COVID-19 hotspot () and/or have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, it is our right to refuse you entry to any of our venues. The health and safety of our community and staff is a key priority for Tamworth Regional Council. 

How can Council help individuals?

• Council Rates: Any residents who are worried about paying their rates at this difficult time should contact our Customer Service team on 6767 5555 to discuss confidentially, alternatively you can email trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au. Each situation will be individually assessed.
• CBD parking meters: Parking meters in the CBD will not be in use in August 2021 while the Tamworth Region is subject to stay-at-home orders.
• Contactless library service:
  During lockdown – Unfortunately during lockdown the Click and Collect service is not available, however, there is a Library2U service available within 20km of Tamworth which includes contact-less delivery. Access to Library2U is available by phoning the Library on 6767 5228.
  Outside of lockdown times - Click and Collect service (launched on 24 March 2020) continued to operate when a lockdown is not in effect. It can be accessed through www.cnl.nsw.gov.au. Readers can reserve the books they want to borrow and staff at Tamworth City Library will package them in a plastic bag, check them out and deliver to the borrower at the library’s loading dock.
  For help with library e-services such as e-books, e-audio books, film streaming and other library electronic services please call the library on 6767 5228.
• Online Development Hub: Tamworth Regional Council is one of the first councils in the state to offer a full service Online Development Hub for residential and commercial applications of any size. Users are able to lodge applications, seek certificates, track documents, view details and pay fees remotely, with no need to enter council offices.
• Restaurants transitioning to take-away: Council is allowing restaurants not currently licenced that have development consents to undertake a take-away service which benefits individuals giving them a wider range of take-away meals.
• Development Application (DA) fees: Full refunds are being provided to any DA applicants wanting to withdraw applications currently under assessment. Note: This does not include DAs that have already been approved.
• For information on initiatives for individuals and households being implemented by other levels of Government, visit the following:
  • Australian Government Treasury
  • Australian Taxation Office
  • My Aged Care: Australian Government Department of Health
  • Australian Banking Association
  • Energy Networks Australia
• For access to other services in this difficult time visit the following:
  
  • For financial counselling, including advice on managing debt, contact the free and confidential National Debt Helpline by calling 1800 007 007 or visit MoneySmart for advice to help you manage your money.
  • For those experiencing domestic violence, contact 1800 RESPECT, or if in immediate danger, please call 000. Mensline Australia on 1300789978 and the Men's Referral Service on 1300766491 also offer support to people using violence.
  • Lifeline offers personal crisis support services. Call 131 114 at any time. Kids Helpline is a free service for young people aged 5 to 25. Kids, teens and young adults can call 1800 551 800 at any time.
  • Those on a low income may be eligible to apply for a 'No Interest Loan'. For more information and details on how to apply, visit Good Shepherd Microfinance.
  • To test eligibility for income support payments contact Services Australia by visiting servicesaustralia.gov.au.

How can Council help businesses?

• Council rates: Any business ratepayer who is worried about paying their rates at this difficult time should contact our Customer Service team on 6767 5555 to discuss the matter confidentailly, alternatively you can email trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au. Each situation will be individually assessed.
• Delivery curfew removed for food stores: A temporary blanket exemption from any delivery curfews has been imposed for supermarkets and shops of essential household items across the Tamworth region. This took effect on Tuesday 17 March 2020, and will continue until further notice.
• Restaurants transitioning to take-away: Council is allowing restaurants not currently licenced that have development consents to undertake a take-away service.
• Free access to Grants Hub: Funding available for community groups, sporting clubs, not-for-profits and businesses can be found through the Tamworth Grants Hub which Council has made available free to the wider community. Anyone who accesses the Tamworth Grants Hub through Council’s website can register for free, search for funding opportunities, set up email alerts for new grants, create a list of favourite grants and even get tips to help with grant applications. It also has a quick list of Coronavirus, bushfire, drought and disaster funding opportunities. 
• Online Development Hub: Tamworth Regional Council is one of the first councils in the state to offer a full service Online Development Hub for residential and commercial applications of any size. Users are able to lodge applications, seek certificates, track documents, view details and pay fees remotely, with no need to enter council offices.
• Business know-how: Council’s Economic Development team has regular communications with the Office of Small Business Commission, Service NSW and Tamworth Business Chamber as part of its work to support local business. Through its regular electronic newsletters, the team is working to raise awareness among local business in regards to the free resources available to develop and adapt their business.
• Footpath advertising and use of additional public space for take-away services fees: No fees are being charged.
• Development Application (DA) fees: Full refunds are being provided to any DA applicants wanting to withdraw applications currently under assessment. Note: This does not include DAs that have already been approved. 
• Flexible approach to enforcement and compliance: Council is limiting enforcement action to matters that are of imminent risk to public or environmental safety, allowing business operations to adapt to the changing consumer demand. Note: Food businesses will continue to be required to meet food safety standards at all times.
• Support for local business: Council is continuing to work with businesses to ensure they are maximising the assistance available to them through economic stimulus packages across all levels of government.
• Support for organisations leasing Council properties: Tenants of Council affected by the financial impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 situation should contact us to talk about available relief. Council's Commercial Property Officer, Luke Stevenson, can be contacted on 6767 5470.
• Reimbursements of charges for land development: Council will reimburse any water and sewer headworks charges that have been paid for any parcel of land developed and with a linen release date between 1 March 2018 and 31 March 2020 that currently remain unsold. The charge will be payable upon settlement for the sale of the land.  
• For information on initiatives for business being implemented by other levels of Government, visit the following:
  • Australian Government Treasury
  • Australian Taxation Office
  • Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Waster and the Environment
  • Destination NSW
  • My Business NSW
  • Australian Banking Association
  • Energy Networks Australia

Other initiatives 

• We are promoting the NSW Health site www.health.nsw.gov.au as the primary source of information and health updates.
• We are working behind the scenes on other initiatives to help our residents work through the challenges facing us all in the current climate including business development webinars, a review of current works, a review of Council’s donations program selection criteria and a review of Council’s Procurement Policy. As information is available, we will continue to share it through our web and social channels and in the media, so keep an eye out.
• We have an emergency management team established which includes our Executive Management Team and representatives from People, Culture and Safety, Communications and Community Engagement, Information Technology and our internal Local Emergency Management Officer.
• We are actively involved in the Local Emergency Management Committee’s response to COVID-19 which includes Police, NSW Fire Brigades, SES, Health, Transport for NSW and neighbouring councils. This is allowing us to establish joint approaches and provide consistent advice.

• We have implemented flexible working options for our employees to continue delivering essential services. We have Business Continuity Plans in place that will ensure the Tamworth region will continue to receive essential services such as water, sewer and waste should COVID-19 impact on any of our staff.
• We are liaising with other agencies and neighbouring Councils to ensure sharing of information and consistent messaging to our community.
• We are continuing to develop our plans to cover a situation where COVID-19 may become widespread in Australia, and the NSW and Australian  governments move to greater restrictions on activities within the Tamworth Regional Council area.