Benalla has been excluded from the official "Border-Bubble" despite towns further from the border being included.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
With the bubble created to allow communities either side of the Victoria/NSW border to continue to work, go to school and trade, those left out will be disproportionately disadvantaged.
Benalla Mayor Danny Claridge said he did not know why towns further south then Benalla, such as Myhree had been included.
“I would imagine business can still travel anywhere in Victoria, but they can't go across the border,” Cr Claridge said.
Stars continue to support St Joeys
“So, for example, our real estate agents here in Benalla brought up that anyone who lives the other side of the border can't come and look at property in Benalla.
“But if you are an Estate Agent down in Myrhee, you can have interstate viewings.
“It doesn't make any sense.
“It's not as if the bubble follows Local Government boundaries either.
Masks available for Benalla locals
“So people from NSW can go and view a property in Winton, but they can't come into Benalla.”
Benalla Residential Rural's David MacKinnon said real estate agents were already unable to show properties to people from Melbourne, and being able to welcome people from NSW would have been a big help.
“Stage-four lockdown in Melbourne has already crunched the inquiries and the ability of buyers being able to move here,” Mr Mackinnon said.
Being able to open up the Benalla housing market to interstate buyers would have eased that pressure.
Symes calls for creative ideas to boost tourism
“It has also had an affect the other way as well, where we have sold property to people who hoped to relocate to NSW, and are now stuck here,” he said.
“So it is a bit of both, it's inquiries and those looking to move away.
“There are so many discrepancies in border regulations, whether it is Victoria-NSW or NSW-Queensland.
“There is no common sense about it and the bureaucrats making the decisions have no idea about the effect it has on the regions.
Benalla overdose deaths on the rise
“I'm not even sure why regional Victoria is still on lockdown. Even that beggars belief.”
One area Cr Claridge was concerned about was the ability of local agricultural businesses to operate.
However, State Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes confirmed on Monday there were exceptions in place for agricultural business - and that exceptions for health would be available.
“The border region is for movement for work, education, compassionate and essential needs,” Ms Symes said.
$14m grant to support emergency volunteers
“The Victorian cross border commissioner and RDV contributed to the border region discussions and effectively tried to get in as many towns as possible.
“But the decisions were from NSW.
“There remains some anomalies we will continue to work through, (and) there are separate permits available for health.
“Currently a Benalla-based farmer or agriculture worker who needs to perform work in NSW can do so if they obtain a permit and go no further than 100 km north past the border, without an exemption.
Council oppose Bowers Rd Closure
“It’s been very messy and I’ve spent a lot of time helping people navigate it.
“However, there was good news today, wherein at national cabinet NSW agreed to implement the Ag Code that I’ve been working on, with the NSW Minister, for a few weeks and the Federal Ag Minister’s department prepared a final code for adoption.
“Once NSW implement it, by changing their health orders Victorians who work in agriculture will have access to permits to cross the border and undertake their ag work in NSW - and South Australia.
“There will be limitations on workers coming out of declared hot spots, such as Melbourne, but Benalla agricultural industry will be eligible.
“I’ve called on the NSW Government to implement the changes immediately, so farmers and contractors can plan harvest and shearing.”
If you would like to send a letter to the editor on this, or any subject, click this link
Editor