Victorian Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford last week launched an investigation into establishing a cross border commissioner.

In 2012 NSW became the first state with such a title.

Benambra MLA Bill Tilley welcomed the move and said “Albury-Wodonga would be the ideal location” to host the commissioner.

The Liberal MP said if the Victorian Labor government proceeded with the position he “would expect it to continue along” under a Coalition premier.

Mr Tilley stressed a commissioner would need to be well resourced with an office, staff and transport.

The NSW cross border commissioner’s office has annual funding of $400,000 which covers two staff, travel costs and a base.

Incumbent NSW commissioner James McTavish, who was in Swan Hill with Ms Pulford for her announcement, said it would be “fantastic” to have a Victorian equivalent.

“For me to have somebody there would be wonderful and simplify my life immensely,” Mr McTavish said.

Albury mayor Kevin Mack said the NSW government was examining having northern and southern border commissioners, a move he would welcome.

Mr McTavish said he had to be across material ranging from the assisted dying bill in Victoria to a regional economy bill in Queensland.

While Cr Mack backs a Victorian commissioner, his councillor colleague Murray King has suggested one commissioner should be based in Albury-Wodonga to serve each state.

“Do we need two of everything or do we need one cross border commissioner that is employed by NSW and Victoria and they’re based in Albury-Wodonga and they run up and one the Murray River dealing with problems?” Cr King said.

Acting Wodonga mayor Danny Lowe and Indigo mayor Jenny O’Connor supported a “mechanism” for cross border anomalies to be tackled.