Permit woes strand Tasmanians at NSW exit points

Tasmanian travellers trying to reach Melbourne to board the Spirit of Tasmania are finding themselves stranded due to Victoria’s border closures. READ ONE MAN’S STORY >>

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A TASMANIAN man’s quest to return home from a holiday visit to NSW has run into ­another roadblock.

Richmond man Eric Petersen was in Albury visiting his family for Christmas and attempted to cross into Victoria on Saturday morning to travel home on the Spirit of Tasmania on Monday.

After being turned back by police at the Wodonga border, he is now awaiting the results of a coronavirus test so that he can transit safely through the embattled state.

“I’m still stuck,” Mr Petersen said. “I’ve had to push my Spirit booking back to Friday.

“I was lucky to go and get the test when I did on (Sunday) — I went to the clinic at Lavington Hall at around 3pm and they shut the doors right behind me.”

Eric Petersen from Tasmania is trying to make his way home to Tasmania and is booked in to travel on the spirit of Tasmania but has been turned back at the border in Wodonga.

He said if he doesn’t receive a permit to transit through Victoria, he’s likely to be out of pocket thousands to ship his car back to Tasmania while he flies directly back to Hobart.

Mr Petersen is believed to be one of many Tasmanians trying to make their way home from COVID-hit NSW.

The Victorian government website says those wishing to transit through the state need to apply for a Victorian Border Crossing Permit or an exemption under limited urgency, compassion and need.

A state government spokesman said Tasmanians wishing to transit through Victoria would need to apply for an exemption to border closures.

“Victoria has advised people can apply for a transit exemption for travel to South Australia and Tasmania. To apply for an exemption from the Victorian Chief Health Officer, call the Victorian Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398 and press 2 when prompted.”

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson said Tasmanians interstate were able to return.

“And for any people who want to return home to Tasmania, you just need to follow the system.

“Check our website, or talk to Public Health Hotline if you need specific advice,” he said.

“You can come home — but if you’re coming from, for example, Greater Sydney, you’ll need to quarantine at your home for 14 days.

“But we do encourage people not to guess. Check, call the public health hotline and get the expert advice.”

Mr Ferguson on Monday also reannounced $485m in road infrastructure spending revealed in the state budget and again in late November.

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