Deputy premier shoots down suggestion of six-week lockdown extension, Tamworth mayor calls for clearer messaging

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has flagged lifting lockdowns on a local government area (LGA), and previously stated Tamworth would be well placed to come out of lockdown.

But, concerns about COVID-19 numbers in the Central West, Far West and Hunter mean the deputy premier could not say with confidence on Wednesday the LGA approach would go ahead.

He did make it abundantly clear the state's regional lockdown would not be extended for a period of six weeks, despite Tweed MP Geoff Provest revealing on Wednesday he had been told it would be extended for more than a month.

Addressing a regional media video conference on Wednesday, Mr Barilaro said the MP "got it wrong".

"He hasn't been told that. The decision hasn't been made. There's been lots of chatter about restrictions and I can assure you there won't be a six week extension on restrictions," he said.

"Will there be an extension? Well that will be subject to the crisis committee that meets this afternoon."

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Meanwhile Tamworth mayor Col Murray has expressed his concern about the "mixed messaging" when it comes to lifting regional lockdown.

"There seems to be some strong messaging about the importance of trying to get those community driven cases down," he said.

"We're hearing some great dialogue from the deputy premier which certainly excites me in terms of potential opportunities to come out of lockdown for our region.

"I think for our economy, we probably need to come out of lockdown but I certainly understand there's a lot of concerns out there in the community about the chances of that enabling COVID to come into our region."

The region has been in lockdown since August 9, but is yet to record a positive COVID-19 case and has not recorded traces of the virus in sewage for more than a week.

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