NSW border businesses at ‘breaking point'

Mayor Chris Bilkey said the council was fed up.

“We cop it in the neck wherever the lockdown occurs due to our border location,” he said.

“We are fed up with governments having total disregard for our unique circumstances. They just don’t seem to get that every time Melbourne or Sydney get a COVID-19 hiccup there are severe economic consequences for our border businesses.”

Councillors are receiving phone calls daily from desperate businesses in need of financial support to keep them afloat, and some, who are business owners themselves, are also feeling the squeeze.

“We have been fortunate to never have had a positive case of COVID-19 in our region, however we suffer the consequences of outbreaks in other areas, simply because we are located on the border,” Cr Bilkey said.

“Our business community is looking to the NSW Government to initiate dialogue with the Victorian Government to reconsider the status of the red border zone for Victorian travellers.

“Or perhaps NSW could consider a hard lockdown of its hot spots along with significant financial support packages.

“Any and all options need to be considered as our businesses are on their knees.”

The council has previously written to a number of representatives including NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, NSW Cross Border Commissioner James McTavish and Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley, with no response.

Last week it sent another letter to NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro pleading for the government to recognise the impact on border communities.

The council is holding an extraordinary meeting this Friday, July 16, at 9.30 am to discuss further actions to be taken on behalf of the business community.

The meeting will be livestreamed and is available for viewing at webcast.murrayriver.nsw.gov.au

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