Border residents near Warwick have applauded a council decision to replace concrete barriers with electronic locks to reopen local roads after months of long detours.
When concrete barriers went up over some roads on the Queensland–New South Wales border due to COVID-19 restrictions, the length of Wendy Bell's commute tripled.
She said since April, she has had to travel an extra 100 kilometres for trips to and from her property at Cullendore in New South Wales to the nearest town of Warwick in Queensland.
Ms Bell said residents reacted with disbelief earlier this year when concrete barriers were put in place.
"People weren't notified at all, so it was a huge surprise … people were just driving down that road and just coming across it," she said.
Ms Bell said many in the region considered themselves to be Queenslanders.
"I've had trouble in the past convincing people that we are in New South Wales because of where we sit," she said.
"Because we are so close Warwick, people just feel that we that we must still be in Queensland, so we do really feel as though we are Queenslanders."
Ms Bell said locals were supportive of the border restrictions but they have had a big impact on their lives.
"We do support the borders being closed … so we will do our utmost to make sure that we support it fully and that way everybody does the right things," she said.
Gates approved
Now, after requests from residents from both sides of the border, the Southern Downs Regional Council has agreed to install an automatic gate at a border crossing at Elbow Valley.
The council said concerns had also been raised about the extra time it took emergency services crews to help with incidents in NSW.
Mayor Vic Pennisi said it will use a system that has been used in the Goondiwindi region.
"[It] uses video imagery as well as electronic locks to give you access through the border," Councillor Pennisi said.
"[Residents will] still have to have the permits in place … and if they fail to do that and get caught, there'll be some serious implications in that respect and fines."
Wendy Bell said the decision was a huge relief for locals.
"My husband's mum is 92, she lives in Warwick, so it will make it so much easier getting to see her," she said.
"Business-wise, it will just make it so much easier, so much less expensive, it will make a huge difference."
Councillor Pennisi said the council was in talks with the State Government over financial help to cover the costs of installing the gates.
"When you have 12, or 13, or 14 of these things that can run up to some serious dollars," he said.
"There's a number of other activities that we undertake as a result of the border closure … that is incurring some extra costs to council."
The council predicts the system could cost up to $7,000 to install at each location.
