New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard has signed off on an exemption that will allow people living in certain remote communities to cross the NSW-Victorian border for essential goods and services.
The change, which was made late last night, will allow people to travel for food, fuel, hygiene products or disability support services — but conditions apply.
If the essential service being sought is available in the remote community the exemption does not apply, and that person will not be allowed to cross the border to obtain the goods or services.
The person traveling must also use the most direct route when travelling from their place of residence.
People living in or near Bethanga or Talgarno can travel by road via NSW to obtain goods and services in Wodonga, while people in Wymah can travel by road and punt via Victoria to obtain goods and services in Albury.
Those living in or near Welaregang can travel via Tinteldra to Corryong, and residents in Balranald can travel via Kyalite to Swan Hill.
The list for exemptions also includes Mulwala, Yarrawonga, Barooga, Cobram and Jingellic.
| Remote communities | Usual source of supply |
| Rufus | Mildura |
| Pine Camp | Mildura |
| Pooncarie | Mildura |
| Anabranch | Mildura |
| Buronga | Mildura |
| Euston | Robinvale |
| Gol Gol | Mildura |
| Kyalite | Swan Hill (Balranald) |
| Goodnight | Swan Hill (Balranald) |
| Tooleybuc | Robinvale, Swan Hill |
| Koraleigh | Robinvale, Swan Hill |
| Piangil | Robinvale, Swan Hill |
| Murray Downs | Swan Hill |
| Speewa | Swan Hill |
| Koondrook | Barham |
| Moama | Echuca |
| Barmah | Barmah, Echuca |
| Bunnaloo | Echuca |
| Wamboota | Echuca |
| Mathoura | Echuca |
| Barooga | Cobram |
| Tocumwal | Cobram |
| Mulwala | Yarrawonga |
| Wahygunyah | Corowa |
| Tooma | Corryong |
| Jingellic | Corryong |
| Khancoban | Corryong |
| Bringenbong | Corryong |
| Bendoc | Delegate, Bombala |
| Delegate | Bombala |
| Tubbut-Bongang | Delegate, Bombala |
| Bethanga | Travel by road via NSW to obtain goods and services in Wodonga |
| Talgarno | Travel by road via NSW to obtain goods and services in Wodonga |
| Wymah | Travel by road and punt via Victoria to obtain goods and services in Albury |
| Welaregang | Welaregang via Tintaldra to Corryong |
| Balranald | Balranald via Kyalite to Swan Hill |
Updated July 22, 2020. For the latest exemptions see the NSW Government's Border zone address check page. Residents in or near column 1 can travel to column 2 towns under the exemption. (Supplied: NSW Government)
A small victory
Towong Shire Mayor David Wortmann said the tightened border restrictions caused anxiety and frustration in the community.
"I was answering calls and emails all night," he said.
"So this is really good news for our local residents in that area."
Indigo Shire Mayor Jenny O'Connor said residents have faced ongoing hardship.
"This has not been a good year for Indigo Shire residents after the fire season, and then the initial COVID lockdown, and the lockdown in Melbourne," she said.
"The impact on our businesses and our economy is catastrophic."
The entire shire is outside the "border bubble", making it difficult for residents to go about their everyday lives.
The shire includes the Victorian town of Wahgunyah, whose residents often shop just over the river in Corowa.
Under the new exemptions they will now be allowed to do that, provided the criteria can be met
More issues to be resolved
Member for Albury Justin Clancy said he had been in constant conversation with ministers to have the concerns of border communities heard.
He said he understood the frustration with the enforcement of the border closure and how rushed the decision making had felt for people in impacted areas.
"Decisions are made, and then we need to work through it," he said.
"That's the nature of what we're facing with the pandemic."
Mr Clancy said employment was another major issue that needed to be resolved, because many people who lived outside the blue zone could not get a permit to cross the border for work.
Mr Wortmann said the original 50-kilometre zone made more sense.
"This much tighter zone is affecting a lot of people, a lot of workers and a lot of businesses," he said.
"I'm really concerned for the viability of some of those businesses and it could create unemployment."
Ms O'Connor agreed there were still issues to be ironed out surrounding cross border employment.
"People can't get to work, they can't get to their businesses and that's catastrophic," she said.
"The safety of our community is our number one priority, but we are going to be facing genuine hardship."
