The NSW Government will work with local councils to showcase open public spaces, including beaches, as part of its new Covid Safe Summer Plan.
The plan is intended to support local businesses by encouraging more outdoor dining in the lead-up to the Christmas-New Year period and throughout summer.
To help support current public health orders, rules and regulations, the government, with council help, will showcase alternative public spaces for the community to enjoy in the warmer months.
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes this week thanked local governments for keeping the community safe as the warmer months arrive.
“Our councils are leading the way, by trialling approaches on their beaches like changing parking arrangements and creating safe swimming areas so that beaches remain safe and welcoming places for the community,” Mr Stokes said.
“The pandemic has emphasised how important it is for our well-being that we all have access to public spaces and parklands [and] the Covid Safe Summer Plan ensures a common-sense approach,” he said.
Local Government NSW has welcomed the plan but is calling for funding support to ensure councils are properly resourced to prevent overcrowding.