New restrictions for Newcastle and Hunter LGAs

 New restrictions for Newcastle and Hunter LGAs 

NSW Health has released further information about the rules and regulations for Newcastle, Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Port Stephens and Singleton local government areas. The information can be found here on the NSW Health website.

Construction (commercial and non-occupied residences)

NSW Health has confirmed that work is permitted at construction sites in the Newcastle, Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Port Stephens and Singleton local government areas under the new stay at home rules.

Click here to find out about the rules for construction activity.

Capacity of workers at construction sites
Construction sites that are permitted to operate in Greater Sydney or Newcastle and the Hunter can have up to 1 person per 4m2 at the site at any one time.

COVID-19 Safety Plan
Greater Sydney and Newcastle and the Hunter construction sites must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan.

Face Masks
Workers at your site must comply with Face mask rules.

COVID-19 Testing
Workers at a site in regional NSW  (including Newcastle and the Hunter) who are living in or staying in Greater Sydney must also follow the rules for testing.

Renovations, repairs, maintenance and cleaning

Find out about the rules for work carried out at homes where people are living – click here for information on renovations, repairs, maintenance and cleaning.

In the Newcastle and the Hunter, including Newcastle, Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Port Stephens, and Singleton local government areas from now until 11:59 pm on Thursday 12 August 2021, all work, including prescribed work (renovations, repairs, maintenance and cleaning), is allowed to commence or continue provided you follow the rules.

Work that is allowed

Any work, including prescribed work at a home where people are living.

Who can do the work?

• Any workers who live in or are temporarily staying in Greater Sydney (except workers who live in or are temporarily staying in a local government area of concern).
• Any workers from Regional NSW including Newcastle and the Hunter.

Rules and restrictions

• Follow the face mask rules.
• If you are doing prescribed work, you must follow the capacity limits.

Capacity limits

If you are doing prescribed work at a home, you must ensure that

• no more than 2 people are working in an indoor area of the home at the same time;
• a resident must stay in a separate indoor area to where the work is being carried out
• no more than 5 people are working in an outdoor area at the same time

Closure of retail businesses

Most retail premises in the Newcastle, Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Port Stephens and Singleton local government areas are closed to the public.

Businesses providing essential products and services that can be open include

• supermarkets
• grocery stores including butchers, bakeries, fruit and vegetable, seafood
• other food or drink retailers that predominantly sell or display food or drinks
• kiosks and other small food and drink premises
• petrol stations
• banks and financial institutions
• hardware, building supplies
• landscaping material supplies
• agricultural and rural supplies
• shops that, in the normal course of business, operate as or sell and display pet supplies
• newsagents
• office supplies
• chemists providing health, medical, maternity and baby supplies
• liquor stores
• post offices
• garden centres and plant nurseries
• vehicle hire premises, not including the premises at which vehicles are sold;
• shops that predominantly carry out repairs of mobile phones
• laundromats and drycleaners.

Please contact the TLA team on (02) 9630 4844 or via team@landscapeassociation.com.au should you need assistance. 

Photo: TLA Member Jason Reading Landscapes