Cumberland City Council Mayor Steve Christou says the approach towards enforcing the lockdown in western Sydney has been “condescending” and “patronising”, as police presence grows in hotspot communities.
Almost 200 police officers were deployed to south-west Sydney recently to ensure strict compliance with COVID-19 Public Health Orders.
As neighbours to some of these hotspots, a number of Cumberland suburbs, particularly Merrylands, are contributing to a growing list of venue alerts.
Cr Christou said the increased presence of NSW Police in western Sydney is “heavy handed” and “extreme” and the way out of this is through a comprehensive vaccination program.
“We offered to help with the roll-out, as we have the appropriate facilities and infrastructure to fully and properly execute it,” he said.
“The bungled roll-out of the vaccination program is why we’re in this situation, while other countries are now enjoying more freedoms. We are ready, willing and able to assist with the roll-out of the vaccination programs.
“Given the latest turn of events and the worsening of the COVID-crisis we once again call to be allowed to administer the vaccines through our facilities.”
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said last week that police will be deployed wherever the virus is rampant.
“We know from the get-go that compliance is our biggest challenge and we appreciate it’s always a fine balance but we need to stop people doing the wrong thing no matter where they live, in any part of Sydney or Greater Sydney, or anywhere else subject to the stay-at-home orders,” she said.
The community is also urged to continue to monitor alert venues and to closely follow NSW Health advice.
Testing clinics can be found at Merrylands Library, Merrylands Park, 48 Boorea Street Auburn, Auburn Town Centre, The Granville Centre Car Park and Tamplin Road, Guildford.
The latest venue alerts are published on the NSW Health website as well as their social media channels.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.