A call to reopen swimming pools in Sydney’s 12 COVID-19 hotspot local government areas was a key point raised by mayors from those regions who finally secured meetings with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Tuesday morning.
The curfew,which multiple mayors deemed ineffective,over-policing,vaccination permits for essential workers,and the strained mental health of residents of western and south-western Sydney were common themes raised by community leaders dealing with heightened restrictions in recent months.
Fairfield Council mayor Frank Carbone said the meeting he was involved in was constructive and he appreciated the Premier taking her time to meet him and other mayors as they stressed their residents should be treated no differently to those in the eastern suburbs.
“If it’s OK to get fresh air in Bondi,it’s OK to get fresh air out here,” Cr Carbone said after the meeting. He said Ms Berejiklian had agreed to get health advice about reopening swimming pools in those council areas after scenes of crowds at eastern beaches over the weekend.
The Premier’s office has been contacted for comment regarding this.
But Cumberland mayor Steve Christou said that while he was pleased to get a meeting with the Premier,“I am most concerned that this was a PR stunt and just paying us lip service”.
“She continues to hide behind the health advice and could not offer any solutions or concessions to afford our residents the same opportunities as those in the east and other areas,” Cr Christou said.
“The Premier claims police assured her they are policing everybody fairly. That point is debatable.”