Penrith Mayor, Karen McKeown OAM has issued a public statement to thank NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, following yesterday’s announcement that a 9pm to 5am curfew for the local government area would be lifted.
Mayor McKeown was one of 12 south west Sydney council representatives to meet with the NSW Premier this week to discuss COVID arrangements for the locked down local government areas.
“I’d like to personally thank the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, for listening to my call yesterday to lift the curfew,” said Mayor McKeown.
“It was a direct request to provide immediate relief to our residents living in those suburbs of concern. It’s heartening to hear that the 9pm – 5am curfew will be lifted tonight.”
She said while the removal of the curfew was a positive step, there was still more to do for other suburbs previously identified as areas of COVID concern, such as Orchard Hills, which has had only one confirmed case of the virus during the current outbreak.
“In addition, there’s several suburbs now showing a significant reduction in COVID-19 numbers. The criteria for defining areas of concern needs to be revised, and suburbs with low case numbers or those with a significant decline in numbers need to be removed as an area of concern,” the Mayor said.
“There needs to be an ongoing assessment, not a set and forget because when we forget, we’re turning our back on the detrimental effect that these harsh restrictions have on residents who live in those suburbs.”
Mayor McKeown also urged the Premier to consider the establishment of a vaccination hub in the epicentre of the oubreak.
“St Marys is the most appropriate area for this, and we will continue to call on the government to implement its delivery,” she said.
She said Penrith City Council continued to bridge the gap in access to essential food and other items for those who were in need during lockdown.
“I’m hopeful that the meeting with the Premier yesterday will bring about even more change, including the State government assisting with additional financial support to help residents’ access food. We also ask that further support be provided to assist local businesses as they reopen.
“We need to keep the conversation going…but there’s still work to be done as we support our communities through this pandemic,” Mayor McKeown said.
