Stay Safe and Keep your Distance As the weather warms up, and holidays approach it is expected that more residents and visitors will be out and about.
COUNCIL WORKING WITH EATERIES DURING COVID Do the words ‘food surveillance’ and ‘food inspector’ make you think of hidden cameras or a hard-boiled detective? The terminology might seem intimidating, but rest assured Council’s food inspector isn’t up to any tricky business – she’s here to help our community. Sue Anderson has worked with Ballina Shire Council for 19 years and has become a familiar face while doing her rounds. There are currently 280 food outlets registered with Council, and 90 market food stalls. Every year Sue conducts inspections of these premises to ensure they are meeting current food regulations. She assesses cleaning and sanitising, pest control, food handling, and maintenance of premises and equipment. Sue says businesses are often grateful to have up to date information and appreciate having the opportunity to make changes when needed. “My aim is to be open and approachable. Certainly when there’s a problem there may need to be firmer follow up, but I prefer to work alongside businesses and if there’s a problem we talk about it and sort it out.”
The three business chambers of Alstonville/ Wollongbar, Ballina and Lennox Head have partnered with Ballina Shire Council to install social distancing footpath stickers in the town centres. The stickers are a visual reminder to locals and visitors to socially distance when out and about, and support the state and federal public health directives for COVID-19. Locations for the stickers were nominated by business chambers, and with consideration of key points of pedestrian activity in the town centres. You may also notice the social distancing stickers in key locations on the shared paths around Ballina and Lennox Head. The temporary pavement stickers have a public safety message to reinforce the importance of social distancing while staying active. Cycling and walking is a great way to stay fit and enjoy the spring weather. But we need to make sure that cyclists and pedestrians on shared paths are safe. Whether you’re on your bike or walking we all have a role to play in community safety.
While inspections are a big part of her role, Sue is also the go-to person for questions related to food hygiene and food safety. Requests can range from how to set up a new food shop, market stall or home-based business; to Development Application referrals for new food outlets; to questions about COVID-19. Over the past six months Sue has been working hard to keep businesses up to date with changing public health orders through regular communication and routine inspections. “I make sure businesses are aware that they need to have a COVID Safety Plan and need to register as COVID Safe with NSW Health. When I’m doing the inspections I make sure they’ve got the right information and appropriate procedures in place,” says Sue. “It’s been tough on businesses but for the most part I’m amazed at how people take it in their stride.” For Sue, the most rewarding part of her role is being out in the community, meeting people and truly making a difference to the way we live. While she never planned to specialise in food safety after completing her degree in Applied Science and Environmental Health, it’s turned out to be a fulfilling career. “I’m learning all the time and the longer you work with Council the more you realise you are never alone, which I love. There are lots of amazing projects happening and lots of hard work and innovation.”
GOT A FOOD SAFETY QUESTION? Email pehd@ballina.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 864 444 for more information.
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SEPTEMBER 2020 ISSUE 40
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