On Tuesday, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro announced the 2.5km zone would be moved back to the original 50km radius, with an exemption of 100km for agriculture workers, in the next seven to 10 days.
Border zone residents are eligible for a permit if they need to go into NSW for work, education, medical care/supplies, or to provide/receive care to/as a vulnerable person.
Member for Murray Helen Dalton said the power of the twin towns community deserved credit for the role it played in seeing the decision made.
“It’s good to see common sense prevail. My office must’ve made more than 500 phone calls and emails to Ministers urging them to ease these border restrictions,” Mrs Dalton said
“But this never would have happened in the first place if they’d come to towns like Moama and talked to people here.
“Let this be a lesson to the NSW Government to not make big decisions affecting country people from their offices in Sydney.
“I’ll be doing all I can to ensure these changes are made as quickly as possible – they do not need to take 10 days.
“We are one country that are supposed to all be in this together. So, we should not be shutting regional state borders every time there is a COVID-19 spike in a capital city.
“There are other ways to control the spread of this virus without destroying the livelihoods of country people.”
Echuca Moama Tourism chief executive Kathryn Mackenzie said the easing of restrictions was another step towards normality.
“We’re very pleased to see the NSW Government has come to this decision,” she said.
“Everyone in Echuca-Moama wants the community to function normally and we’re currently not able to do that.
“Reverting back to the original distance will mean a lot more people can go able their business without too much hassle.
“We’re just praying the borders can be opened up before Christmas so people can enjoy their holidays with family and friends.”
Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said the NSW Government had finally listened to The Nationals’ call for a much more workable cross-border arrangement.
Mr Walsh said with The Nationals being the voice of river communities, he was able to appeal directly to colleagues in the NSW Government.
“We have been to hell and back with these border closures,” Mr Walsh said.
“Whether it’s not being able to go to school, access health services or buy groceries, it has been a very tough few weeks,” he said.
“But after a very productive meeting today with NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro in Albury I continued the push to get some common sense into the border closures.
“It has been a tremendous first step with the Deputy Premier announcing a return to the 50km border bubble to get daily life back to normal for our cross-border residents from Swan Hill to Echuca.
“I thank the NSW Government for listening to our communities, but more still needs to be done.
“The Nationals and I will keep pushing for changes to make sure farmers, shearers and hay and grain contractors can get to where they need to be north of the border.
“I’m also seeking further information on what communities near the edge of the 50km bubble can expect when the permits come through in the next week or so.”
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