Covid ‘no man's land’: Towns hit by NSW-Victoria border plead with government to turn the bubble green

Businesses on the NSW-Vic border say they have been left in Covid ‘no man’s land’, as they plead with state governments to change restrictions.

Businesses on the Victorian-New South Wales border left in Covid ‘no man’s land’ for nearly two years, are pleading with both state governments to reopen and align restrictions.

Since the pandemic in March last year, Victoria-NSW border has taken a $3 billion tourism hit, with 10,000 jobs lost and fears more will go.

Under the current NSW rules, Victoria is an ‘area of concern’ which means that no one from Victoria can enter NSW without serving a 14 day quarantine period.

The situation is so dire, some of the 250,000 residents are struggling to deal with the mounting debt and the mental toll it has taken on them.

Economic forecasts predict it could take up to three years for the border regions to recover, with fears some areas will be left ghost towns as crippled businesses are forced to close.

Frustrated business owners said the restrictions and lockdowns imposed by both the Victorian and NSW governments have hurt them badly.

Owner-operator of Moama motel Debbie Egan is one of thousands who have suffered more than 19 months of lockdowns or restrictions imposed by the two state governments.

Owner-operator of Moama motel Debbie Egan.

With a vaccination rate of 95 per cent in the region — one of the highest in the country — she said the situation has become “exhausting and stressful”.

“Of the 42 weeks of this year, Moama businesses have suffered 25 weeks of lockdowns and restrictions of trade by both the Victorian government and the NSW government,” she said.

“We fall deeper into debt the longer the restriction of visitors continues. We were looking to retire, but that is just not possible now.

“We feel ignored, forgotten and in despair of being able to make a living again with the continuing postulating of the two state governments.”

For the 250,000 residents across 13 local government areas, the Murray Region’s economy is reliant on 70 per cent of Victorian visitors.

“The Murray region has been caught in the middle of a tug of war between two states. In many ways it has become a Covid ‘no man’s land’ with rules from one jurisdiction or another,” Chief executive of the Murray River Tourism Board Mark Francis said.

“What we need to see happen immediately is for the NSW government to rescind the Public Health Order that releases Victoria from being ‘an area of concern’.

“This then permits regional Victorians to cross the border and enter border towns, followed by Melbournians within a week or so – allowing the local economy to begin to recover.”

Murray River Resort owner Steve Shipp said border businesses continue to lose thousands of dollars in potential revenue, with some forced to close their doors permanently if nothing is done.

Pictured is Murray River Resort owner Steve Shipp.

He added that guests have been left “scared” to book holidays, after the Victorian government triggered an exodus of visitors to NSW on New Year’s Eve as it announced a snap border lockdown with 24 hours notice.

“All these decisions from different states and the way they contradict each other and give a moment’s notice is frustrating,” he said.

“We are seeing change after change and it’s getting weary. Financially it hurts, but also mentally it’s impacting us.

“It’s time the politicians focused on the pandemic and not on what they got to do for re-election. Politics is what is killing us.”

Mayor of the Murray River Council Chris Bilkey said the NSW government needs to follow Victoria’s lead and open the border up to fully vaccinated Victorians to return to NSW border towns.

“Right now you can travel from London to Sydney as a vaccinated traveller and not quarantine,” he said.

“Yet a vaccinated Victorian cannot travel to Moama without spending 14 days in quarantine.

“It makes no sense.”

LGA’s affected in Murray Region

Greater Hume Shire

Albury City

Wodonga City Council

Federation Council

Moira Shire Council

Berrigan Shire Council

Campaspe Shire Council

Murray River Council

Edward River Council

Gannawarra Shire Council

Swan Hill Rural City Council

Mildura Rural City Council

Wentworth Shire Council

Originally published as Covid ‘no man's land’: Towns hit by NSW-Victoria border plead with government to turn the bubble green