NSW/Victoria border: Restrictions cripple Wodonga businesses
Wodonga residents are crossing the border to shop and socialise, finding a “mask-free day” too hard to resist. But business owners put the Albury attraction down to more than just one restriction.
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Victoria’s COVID restrictions are strangling Wodonga businesses, as those across the border in Albury boom.
Business owners have told The Albury-Wodonga News that Victoria’s harsher restrictions have seen locals flooding across the Murray River into NSW, where masks are not mandatory and hospitality venues can host larger bookings.
And they fear the worst is yet to come when NSW reopens its borders on Monday, with long lines at the check points no longer acting as a deterrent.
Owner of Wodonga’s Birralee Tavern, Lisa Ryan, said the regional cities were “different worlds” despite only being a river apart.
“The freedom Albury has without having to wear masks and the booking numbers on tables … we’ve certainly been losing people across there,” she said.
“We’ve had the benefit of people having to queue to go through the checkpoint.
“But that will be gone on Monday so it will be easier to go across to Albury so we will potentially lose more trade.”
Pubs in Wodonga can currently have 40 people inside and 70 people outside, with a maximum of 10 people per table, while NSW pubs can have up to 300 people using the 4 sqm rule for indoor seating and 2 sqm rule for outdoor seating, with a maximum of 30 people per table.
At Sodens Hotel in Albury, owner Brendan Tracey, said business was almost as usual.
“Things have definitely picked up since the border bubble eased. They’re coming across because they don’t have to wear a mask,” he said.
“We can have tables of 30 now, we were at 10. As soon as it went to 30 we were pretty much booked out each night with groups of 30.
“We’re pretty much back to doing numbers we were doing last year before COVID-19.”
Bean Station Cafe in Wodonga was hit hard during the height of the pandemic, but cafe owner Rod Ayton said things had really picked up since Melbourne’s “ring of steel” had lifted.
“Last weekend with Melbourne open again it was our busiest weekend in 6.5 months,” Mr Ayton said.
“I think things will get busier because people from Victoria who have family in NSW will be travelling through.
“But as the border restrictions ease more people have been going over the border because they’re sick and tired of the masks – they go over to have a mask free day.
“Maybe if there’s an easing of restrictions of masks things might pick up a little more.”
In Albury, owner of popular cafe The Proprietor Rommy Gill said his business had been boosted by NSW police force and Australian Defence Force staff working at the border checkpoint.
“When the border comes down completely I think Albury will be very busy because people don’t have to wear masks,” Mr Gill said.
“If Melbourne and Sydney people start travelling again my business will be back to normal.
“What’s happening in Albury-Wodonga really depends on what’s happening on the Hume Highway.”
Some Wodonga businesses have been affected more than others by the mandatory use of masks.
Barber at the Border’s Miki Dunphy said the business was restricted because they can’t do beard trimmings while customers have to wear masks.
“The masks wouldn’t be too much of a problem except we can’t do beards or shaves,” Ms Dunphy said.
“We get a few people who get a bit angry that we can’t do their beards, but we just send them to Albury.”
For barber shops in Albury it’s business as usual where clients can get shaves and beard trims.
Owner of the Dude Hut in Albury Martina Maney said she was looking forward to the border opening again as she was missing clients who came over from the army base in Wodonga.
Wodonga mother of two Kelly Livingstone said her kids loved going to the park, but the restrictions on the Victorian side of the border were driving them across the river.
“We head to Albury a little bit more now because you don’t have to wear masks over there, it’s a little bit more free,” Ms Livingstone said.
“But there are some great parks in Wodonga, and it’s convenient.
“But as it gets hotter I think more people will head to Albury.”
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