The change follows an update to the EPA advice, which will now allow people that do not receive kerbside collection allowed to take their waste to landfill.

The agency has described the rule tweak as a 'common sense outcome' and offered the following statement in regards to who is eligible while stay-at-home orders are in place.

"Goods and services must be obtained locally unless the services are not reasonably available locally," it read.

"I note that 'locally' means within the local government area in which the person resides or, if in another local government area, no further than 5 kilometres from the person's home and not in an area of concern.

"However, if in regional NSW the nearest landfill was not in the LGA and was more than five kilometres away, residents in regional NSW would be permitted under the current order to take their waste to a landfill and even if the landfill is located further than 5 kilometres from their home."

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Landowners had previously been asked to store all waste at their property, but the update now means delivering rubbish to the tip is deemed an 'essential' reason to leave the house as long as it fits the EPA's criteria.

Tamworth Regional Council is yet to make a decision on whether or not it will adhere to either the original or updated advice.

Despite the change, Gunnedah council is requesting people stay at home unless absolutely necessary.

"We remind the community that this service should only be used if it is essential," a spokesperson said.

"If you are unsure, please contact NSW Health or police for clarification."

RESIDENTS without kerbside collection will have to hold onto rubbish until further notice, as the Gunnedah Waste Facility shuts to the general public.

The decision was made on advice from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), that suggested waste management facilities close while stay-at-home orders remain in place.

The fate of Tamworth's tip is yet to be decided as the local council holds off on making an official call, but water and waste director Bruce Logan has said a decision is likely on Wednesday.

"Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) is currently waiting on further advice from relevant government agencies before making a final decision about operations at council's waste management facilities," he said.

"We expect to receive this advice Wednesday and will update the community then."

Gunnedah Shire Council (GSC) will abide by the EPA's advice, with the agency asking people not to take their rubbish to the tip as it puts public safety at risk.

"NSW is in lockdown and all residents are required to limit their movements, and stay at home," a GSC spokeswoman said.

"No member of the public should be visiting a recycling or waste management facility as it is not one of the essential reasons for leaving your home.

"For people living in regional NSW who don't have a council waste collection and take their own household waste to landfill, you must store this waste safely at home in a durable bag or container and not visit your waste depot until the restrictions are lifted."

Essential commercial and trade services with a COVIDSafe plan in place will be allowed to access the waste facility.

GSC has stated it will work hard to minimise the impacts of the closure and anyone who would like to access further information is encouraged to call its waste management team on (02) 6740 2100.

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