Since the new public health orders came into effect, all 14 councils say they have received messages, emails and phone calls from residents who can no longer get to work or open their businesses, with many already closing their doors.
Amid fears of a devastating economic impact on border communities that have always lived and worked closely together, the border leaders have combined to tell the NSW Government that the creation of a border zone now restricted effectively to a two kilometre strip on either side of the river is unacceptable and unsustainable.
Campaspe Shire Council Mayor, Adrian Weston says the harsh restrictions are creating stress and anxiety for workers, businesses and families, some of whom are facing enormous financial and emotional hardship because of the narrow permit zone along the border.
‘‘Our request to the New South Wales Government is simple: please allow border community workers on both sides of the border to do their jobs,’’ Cr Weston said.
Mayor of Murray River Council, Chris Bilkey expressed similar concerns.
‘‘While we understand that both governments are working to restrict the spread of COVID-19, it should be made clear that there are only a handful of active cases of the virus in the border communities yet people living along the Murray River are being heavily penalised through no fault of their own,’’ Cr Bilkey said.
‘‘The narrow border strip system is causing a growing amount of harm to our communities as each day passes, so we await in anticipation some common sense from the government on this matter.’’
Cr Weston added that all 14 councils had taken the historic step of uniting in a collective call for the NSW Premier and Health Minister to amend the order to allow more workers and business owners to cross the border, travel directly to their workplaces, and travel directly back to their homes each day.
‘‘We’re urging the government to consult with us so we can save our economies while also ensuring we’re all working together to minimise the risk of the virus spreading,’’ Cr Weston said.
The councils calling for the change are: Albury, Berrigan, Campaspe, Federation, Gannawarra, Greater Hume, Indigo, Mildura, Moira, Murray River, Swan Hill, Towong, Wentworth and Wodonga.
