Bunnings Has Shut Its Sydney Stores and Moved to Drive-and-Collect Orders for the Rest of Lockdown

Sydneysiders have spent two months in lockdown now — and if you've been putting all that extra time at home to good use by sprucing up the house and doing odd jobs, you're definitely not alone. Home renovation proved popular during 2020's lockdown, too. Obviously, it's hard to avoid finally painting that wall, putting up that shelf, making over your garden or fixing all the things around the place that you've been pushing back for far too long when you're spending all day (and every day) at home.

Naturally, that means that Bunnings Warehouse hasn't been lacking in customers during this stay-at-home stint. But if you're eager to pick up DIY supplies during the rest of Sydney's lockdown — so, until the end of September — you'll need to stick with online orders. Due to changes in the city's restrictions, the hardware retailer has temporarily shut down all of its stores in Greater Sydney, other than to trade customers.

Under new rules that came into effect at 12.01am today, Monday, August 23, more businesses in places considered Local Government Areas of concern by the New South Wales Government are required to move to click-and-collect shopping — including garden centres, plant nurseries, office supplies, hardware and building supplies, rural supplies and pet supplies. That includes Bunnings, but the chain is going one step further and applying the rule citywide.

"With the new restrictions on retail spanning a large part of Sydney, Bunnings has made the decision to temporarily close all its stores across Greater Sydney to the general public," said Bunnings Manager Director Mike Schneider. "This is in support of the government and for the safety and security of team members, customers and the community. We know from experience that applying a consistent approach across a metropolitan area is easier for our team to manage and helps reduce travel by residents between LGAs."

Last year, the hardware retailer implemented a drive-and-collect service, so that's one option for picking up your hardware goods. DIY enthusiasts just need to complete their purchase online, wait for notification that their order is ready, and select their preferred pickup date and time. Then, when you drive to the store, you'll park in a designated drive and collect bay, and text or call the store to let them know you've arrived. All you need to do next is wait for a staff member to bring out your goods and put them in your car boot.

Sadly, drive-and-collect doesn't apply to Bunnings' sausage sizzles, so they're off the cards in Greater Sydney for now.

And if you'd prefer not to leave the house at all, you can also use the chain's click-and-deliver service.

For further information about Bunnings' drive-and-collect service — or to place an order — visit the chain's website.