Mayors, CEOs unite in historic push to change border restrictions

Published on 24 July 2020

Mayors and CEOs spanning both sides of the Murray River from Corryong to Wentworth are joining forces in an unprecedented show of strength to convince the New South Wales Government to ease its latest tough border restrictions.

Since the new public health orders came into effect on 22 July, 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.  

Gannawarra Shire Council’s Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said 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 NSW Government is simple: Please allow border community workers on both sides of the border to do their jobs,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“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.”  

Mayor Learmonth said all 14 councils had taken the historic step of uniting in a collective call for the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian and Health Minister, Brad Hazzard 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.

“The narrow border strip system is causing a growing amount of harm to our communities as each day passes, so we’re urging the government to consult with us so we can save our economies, while also ensuring we’re all working together to minimize the risk of the virus spreading,” Mayor Learmonth 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.