Little River residents say community divided by ‘ring of steel’
Little River residents say they are stranded on the wrong side of the state’s “ring of steel”, businesses are suffering and they have to drive 25km to get groceries, despite there being no known coronavirus cases in the town of about 1300.
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Residents of the small community of Little River say they are stranded on the wrong side of the state’s great divide between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria — and after three months are still waiting for common sense to prevail.
The 1866 bluestone Rothwell Bridge marks the border between the metropolitan council Wyndham — where most people live — and regional Geelong — where most people work, shop and go to school.
The “ring of steel” restrictions meant residents have to drive 25km to Werribee to shop, even though it was once a COVID-19 hot zone, instead of the short drive to Lara.
There have been no known coronavirus cases in the town of about 1300.
Lisa Clarke, who owns the Little River General Store with husband Peter, said business was suffering because the town was on the “wrong side”, a reference to Premier Daniel Andrews’ comment about the town.
“It’s really hard for everyone and people are frustrated,” she said.
Trade at the store has slumped due to restrictions and uncertainty. Even its famous lolly selection counter was closed down.
The constant passing through checkpoints for those eligible was a source of frustration and ridicule for residents who now referred to the metropolitan border as the “ring of marshmallow”.
An online petition has also been launched to gather support to get the community out of the metropolitan restrictions.
“Residents on the Wyndham side of the bridge face a fine of almost $5000 for travelling to their local shops in stage three area of Lara,’’ the petition says.
Petition organiser Jacqueline Toland said the border affected the residents in many ways, including the local children’s basketball teams, which weren’t able to play in the Geelong district competition. “The response has been really strong,” she said. “It’s one community and we need to be together.’’
The Premier was first asked about Little River’s divided status last month and on Sunday he said the town’s predicament was being considered but no announcements had been made.
“We’ve got a fix for that,” he said. “They’re on the wrong side of the line we’ve drawn (and) we’re going to try to unify that community.”
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