Checkpoints and dual permits the new normal for confused cross-border community

It is a case of deja vu for the confused SA-Victoria cross-border community as checkpoints return and a permit system comes into force.

The Glenelg River Rd border checkpoint, between Mount Gambier and Nelson returned on Friday night. Picture: Jessica Ball

The return of checkpoints on the South Australia-Victoria border and the introduction of a Victorian permit system has caused confusion for the cross-border community.

On Friday, SA Police announced officers had been redeployed to six sites in a move to keep travellers from coronavirus hot spots crossings into the state by travelling via Victoria.

But when a police manned checkpoint reappeared on the Glenelg River Road between Nelson and Mount Gambier, residents feared the worse with rumours swirling of an impending hard border closure.

The police presence surprised Jacquline Sullivan, who drives from her home in Mount Gambier to work in Nelson, just 4km over the border each day.

Jacquline Sullivan from Mount Gambier in South Australia works at the Nelson Hotel in Victoria and says the changes to border checkpoints are too confusing. Picture: Jessica Ball

On the return trip on Saturday she waited around an hour queued at the checkpoint only to be turned around when she finally spoke to a SAPOL officer.

Mrs Sullivan did not have an essential travel number when she first attempted to cross into SA and described the experience as “terrible”.

“I didn’t know it was blocked until I went to go home and I didn’t have a number and they said you’ve got to come back to Nelson,” she said.

“The boss did it on his computer.

“When I went back again they said it’s the wrong number but they did let me go back into Mount Gambier.”

Mrs Sullivan questioned the need for permits for those living in regional border communities said keeping up to date with changes and filling out the online forms was too confusing.

“For someone my age, I don’t understand it all and my granddaughter had to do it for me last night,” she said.

“I don’t even have an email address.”

The Glenelg River Road border checkpoint, between Mount Gambier and Nelson returned on Friday night. Picture: Jessica Ball

Victoria’s new “traffic light” permit system also came into effect at 6pm Monday night, with the website launching after a three hour delay due to technical glitches.

While the application states NSW-Victorian cross-border community residents are exempt and able to travel into the state by carrying photo ID and proof of their address, the SA-Victoria cross-border community is not.

According to Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services website all SA residents, including those in border communities, must apply for a permit.

No border checkpoints has been set up on the Victorian side of the border.