IN some good news for Bathurst residents, they will once again be able to drop off their rubbish at the local tip.
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Bathurst Regional Council announced on Thursday that, following new advice from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the Bathurst Waste Management Centre would reopen on Friday.
"The Waste Management Centre was closed to the public due to the public health order in place," Mayor Ian North said.
"Council now has received information from the EPA that household services, including waste and recycling services, is a reason to leave your home.
"The Waste Management Centre will be open to the public at 7.30am Friday morning, but we would encourage that people delay their visit if they can, to reduce queueing. The WMC will be open 8.30am - 3.30pm on the weekend."
Councillor Alex Christian, who was vocal in his criticism of the tip's closure, said it was a win for mental health and for common sense.
"Whilst being in lockdown, it's taken a huge toll on people's mental health and basically this decision now allows those people to get up off the couch, be proactive around the home and hopefully feel good about themselves by cleaning out the house, tidying up the garden and being able to drop their waste off at the tip," he said.
"It's a massive win, I think, for mental health and for common sense."
He was also happy that the people who spoke up about the closure had been listened to.
Cr Christian reiterated that the tip is a place where people can easily comply with the state's COVID safety measures.
"As far as social distancing goes, nowhere is safer than a city's tip. I trust people in our community to use common sense," he said.
In addition to observing social distancing, people who attend the waste management centre will need to wear a mask at all times.
A QR code will be on display and must be utilised by all people wishing to use the facility.
Cr Christian also understands there will be other measures, like marked out areas, to help patrons be COVID safe.
"All those precautions are being taken seriously by council. People drive in, they pay for their load, drive up, drop it off in a safe manner and leave. There's going to be no loitering, nothing like that, it's just going to be in and out," he said.
In addition to following the protocols, the mayor has asked that people "are patient and are respectful to our hardworking WMC staff".
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