Chaffey Dam open for recreation, but Oxley police will be watching

Oxley Police Superintendent Kylie Endemi said surveillance would be tight across the region.

"Officers will be out and about this weekend at Chaffey Dam," she said.

"We have officers everywhere at the moment and we'll be right across the Oxley Police District maintaining that highly visible presence."

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Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said reopening the dam had proven possible despite state-wide dam closures by Water NSW, because it is run by the Bowling Alley Point Trust.

He said recreation at the dam is permitted under the existing public health order, just like any other outdoor setting.

"Fishers can fish, that's recreation," he said.

"[Opening the dam is] good for our mental health. We've been in lockdown for a little while now and people are really starting to feel it. Anything we can do to help promote good mental health ... under COVID-safe measures, then why wouldn't we open the dam up?"

Under the current public health order for the Tamworth local government area (LGA), outdoor public gatherings, including for recreation, are limited to either two people or members of the same household.

Residents are not entitled to travel outside their LGA for recreational purposes. The only exception would be for people who live within five kilometres of Chaffey Dam, but outside the LGA.

Under existing public health orders, residents who are exercising don't need to wear a mask while doing so.

Superintendent Endemi asked people to think about the "spirit" of public health orders before travelling on the weekend.

"That spirit is to limit unnecessary movement," she said.

"So think about the activities that you want to do, think about how you can do that safely and within the realms of the public health orders. Yes, outdoor recreation is available within the LGA you reside in, but there are conditions around that in terms of how many people you can do that with as well and travelling."

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