NSW/Victorian border: Albury-Wodonga faces new challenges as checkpoints come down
The border between Victoria and NSW is open again, but there are plenty of new challenges for people in Albury-Wodonga. Here’s what you need to know.
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The NSW and Victorian border is now open again, but stakeholders warn it could bring a set of new challenges for Albury-Wodonga as the border cities start to rebuild.
Residents of the twin cities were able to cross freely between Albury and Wodonga as of 12.01am on Monday, November 23, after 138 days of painful checkpoint queues and border pass checks.
Federal member for Farrer, Sussan Ley said while she understood the NSW Government’s need to act in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the “blunt approach” to closing the border had caused much frustration anguish for border towns.
“At the height of the shutdown we saw about five per cent of local workers couldn’t get to their job, farmers who couldn’t farm, children unable to get to school, split families unable to grieve the loss of a loved one,” Ms Ley said.
“That heartache was also felt by local small businesses who suffered an estimated revenue hit of around 30 per cent to 50 per cent, with over half of those businesses needing to cut their hours or staff.
“For the tourism and hospitality sector the blow was arguably worse – data suggesting accommodation bookings dropped by 90 per cent to 100 per cent, with entertainment and hospitality revenues falling up to 80 per cent.
“Summer bookings are only slowly improving as people remain hesitant to travel.”
Come Monday, Ms Ley said there were two things border residents could do to help rebuild their economies.
“Number one is to remember the virus has not disappeared,” she said.
“The more we continue to practise good hand hygiene and physical distancing (and encourage visitors, family and friends to do so) the more likely we’ll keep out the virus.
“Carry a mask and get used to wearing it in a crowded area, particularly indoors – and for NSW residents right now, that’s a good habit to get into for when you head more freely back into Victoria?
“The Federal Government fully expects that localised outbreaks will occur from time to time given the nature of the virus – but if we stop that happening here, the border closure will hopefully turn into a distant memory.
“Number two is- love your local area.
“Right now, the most important thing we can do in the run-up to (and during) the festive and holiday season is to ‘shop local’.”
REBUILDING BUSINESSES
Albury Business Connect and Business Wodonga have developed a number of initiatives to help support local businesses throughout the pandemic.
Albury City council launched the Go Local First campaign which has allowed local businesses to promote their products online.
The AlburyCBD gift card has had a huge uptake with 60 local businesses participating.
Business Wodonga set up the Support Local Shop Local website, a digital plaza where Albury-Wodonga businesses can showcase their products online.
Business Wodonga and Wodonga TAFE also created the Wodonga Hampers to help support local businesses through the Christmas period.
Albury Business Connect chairman Barry Young said there were a number of ways Albury-Wodonga locals could support businesses on both sides of the border.
“Reasons why it’s important to support local is because we support local families by employing local people,” Mr Young said.
“We keep the money in our own economy which is important, and a strong business community underpins a really strong community.
“Our Albury-Wodonga offer is amazing across professional services, health services, retail, hospitality, and accommodation.
“We have a lot to offer in a beautiful environment so it should be easy for you all to get out and support local.”
Mr Young said the border reopening could pose further challenges for Wodonga businesses as Victoria faces tougher restrictions.
“The challenge for Wodonga businesses in particular will be the movement of people,” he said.
“We don’t want face masks to be a deterrent for people visiting Wodonga.
“When I think of the food offering in Wodonga and I think of places like Miss Amelie, The Goods Shed, Andiamo, to say we’re not going to go there just because we have to wear a face mask would be really disappointing.
“The offering is so good in Wodonga we should take the opportunity, face mask of not, to explore all of our region.”
TOGETHER AGAIN
Murray River Police District Commander, Superintendent Paul Smith said he was expecting more traffic crossing the border from Monday as families can finally make the trip to see each other.
“No doubt we will have an increase in traffic not only on Monday but from here on in,” he said.
“I expect there will be traffic numbers, but at our big five checkpoints we’re hoping we’ll have everything packed down by peak times and traffic will be back to how it was at the start of July.”
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