Following news of Service NSW suspending the website allowing people to change their address, part four of this series unpacks what loopholes have been closed, and why.
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Why was the website allowing people to change their address suspended?
As there are three separate rules applying to different areas in the state, many people and businesses have changed their address on their licenses or on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission portal in order to fall under less restrictive rules.
Can a person who normally resides in Greater Sydney move to their second home in the Shoalhaven if it's temporary?
No, this loophole has been closed because of public outcry in response to people not following the spirit of the law.
One such story involved District Court Judge Chris Hoy visiting his Shoalhaven holiday house with his wife in order to circumvent stay-at-home rules.
Following a 14 day isolation in the Shoalhaven, Judge Hoy and his wife made their way to their final destination - skiing in Thredbo.
Travel between residences, except for essential maintenance, is banned. Only one person is permitted to travel if essential maintenance is required.
What does it mean for the Shoalhaven to have this loophole closed?
It means those who may normally reside in Sydney Local Government Areas of concern can no longer change their address to be able to circumnavigate rules. It does not stop those that already have changed their address.
In effect, suspending the website stops people in Sydney LGAs of concern from getting around the rules regarding the requirement to be tested before travelling, for purposes of work, to distances further than 50km from Greater Sydney.
The intent of cracking down on this loophole is to protect regional NSW and parts of Greater Sydney outside of the LGAS of concern.
Does this mean I am not allowed to change my address?
Services NSW have imposed a 3-month moratorium to support stay at home orders.
A spokesperson from Services NSW said "customers are advised to delay updating their address until after public health restrictions have eased and will now have three months from the move date to do so."
How were people changing their address before?
They may have changed their primary address to their second home or their partner's home.
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