Little River to be reunited after border dividing town is redrawn
Little River residents are set to be reunited after more than three months as the border between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria is updated so it no longer divides the community.
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Little River will live under the same restrictions after the state government reclassified the whole town as being in regional Victoria after more than three months of pleading for common sense from locals.
The ring of steel which separates metropolitan Melbourne from the regions during stage four lockdown originally ran through the middle of the town, dividing residents and forcing some to live under tougher restrictions than others.
The state government has ruled that from Friday, residents living on the Melbourne side of the border will join regional Victoria and move into the same Step 3 restrictions.
Little River was the only town on the metropolitan border that was divided during lockdown, which had been a major cause of frustration for locals.
The border, which was originally drawn along local government area boundaries, will now end at Wests Rd, Bulban Rd, Edgars Rd and Argoona Rd, before connecting again with the original boundaries.
Lara MP John Eren said the change would be a welcome relief for the community.
“Changing the border will make life a little easier for people in Little River – but residents will still need to make sure they are following the restrictions that apply to regional Victoria,” he said.
Little River resident Phil Smith, who lived on the regional side of the border, said his young daughters were ecstatic to hear it had been lifted.
“The kids are happy because they can see their friends now, they went to school over the bridge so most of their friends weren’t allowed to come over,” he said.
“My partner and the kids started squealing (when they heard), they were all pretty happy.
“The local pub was in the city side and they can now open tomorrow so I’m sure they’ll be happy, it’ll be good to go to the local pub again.”
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