NINE maskless protesters have been fined more than $30,000 in total after gathering on Tuesday at Albury's council offices to agitate against the COVID lockdown.
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In addition a man, 50, has been charged with failing to obey a move-on direction and bailed to face Albury Court on September 28.
The group, which has links to the sovereign citizen movement, amassed at 10am as part of a NSW-wide demonstration.
There was also protests at Berrigan's council offices as well as at Wagga and Griffith.
The Albury event involved up to 20 malcontents chanting with some leaving before their details were taken.
Nine each received $3000 penalties for ignoring stay-at-home orders and $500 fines for not donning masks.
They consisted of six men and three women, aged from 24 to 57, with one pushing a pram.
Murray River police district chief Superintendent Paul Smith said the man charged had not left the scene when ordered to do so by officers.
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He noted for those fined that it tallied "about 30 grand, so it's a very expensive day out".
Superintendent Smith said two of six protestors at Berrigan had been identified, but police were seeking more help from the public.
Acting Inspector Jason Irving, of Albury police, said the gathering, in defiance of lockdown rules that ban groups and unnecessary travel from home, was disappointing.
"We understand people are frustrated, but it is frustrating for us," Inspector Irving said.
"We need people to please be patient and abide by the stay-at-home order and public health order because they are for their own protection and the protection of the community," Inspector Irving said.
The protests followed social media chatter and a previous protest in Albury in August.
"We had gained some information of the potential for there to be a gathering, so we were prepared for that and we had more than ample police to standby," Inspector Irving said.
Officer numbers matched those of the protestors.
Albury councillor Murray King observed the tail-end of what he called a "peaceful" event when he arrived at the chamber and was unimpressed.
"No-one is happy about this, least of all me, but by doing this you're putting police at risk and council staff at risk needlessly and it is not the way to do things," Cr King said.
Superintendent Smith noted that those involved were only a fraction of society and "the vast, vast majority of people are doing the right thing".
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro on Tuesday afternoon condemned those involved in rallies across the state, including the Riverina.
"It's selfish what they're doing, what they actually can cause is a seeding event by gathering and not following the social distancing rules," he said.
"The best way to get out of lockdown is to abide by the rules, follow the restrictions, get vaccinated."
Meanwhile, Murrumbidgee Local Health District has announced new COVID exposure sites in the far west and north of its area after a now infected essential worker visited various sites from last Thursday to Monday.
They include West Wyalong's Shell Coles Express and Coolabah Tree Cafe at different times from Thursday to Sunday.
Shell and Caltex sites in Hay at various times on Friday and Sunday and Tooleybuc's Lucky Phil's takeaway on Sunday morning.
