Livestock agents and transporters say the impending closure of the border between Victoria and NSW is unlikely to have an adverse effect on their operations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the border will close, from 11:59pm, on Tuesday.
Mr Andrews said it was a joint decision between himself, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Mr Andrews made no mention of whether or not agriculture would remain an essential service, but those associated with the livestock industry said they believed the border closure wouldn't have a major impact.
There'll be a prime cattle market, at Barnawartha, Wodonga, tomorrow and a store sale on July 9.
Although half the stock for the regular sales was drawn equally from NSW and Victoria, agents said they didn't expect any problems.
Michael Unthank, Brian Unthank Rural, Albury, said he believed agents would be given permits, to cross the border, "to do our everyday jobs".
"It's more the tourist side of things, that's affected," Mr Unthank said.
"I'm not making the rules, but I wouldn't think there would be issues - I hope not, anyway."
IN OTHER NEWS:
David Meehan, Corcoran Parker, Wodonga, said he imagined the border would remain open for essential services.
"If that's the case, it won't make much difference, the buyers are still going to come," Mr Meehan said.
Restrictions at saleyards had been eased, but had been reintroduced, after the spike in Melbourne.
"The people that need to get in, can get in," Mr Meehan said.
In a perfect world it would be good to have vendors seeing their cattle sold - and buyers to be there when stock went under the hammer.
"We are making it work, you just have to," he said.
Rodwells Wodonga branch manager Peter Ruaro said he hadn't been notified as to the status of this week's sales, but 1400 head had been booked in for tomorrow.
"We have a special sale on Thursday, and, as far as I am concerned, it's business as usual," Mr Ruaro said.
"We are just continuing on, as normal.
"Thats what I have told a few people who have inquired; we are an essential service.
"It didn't stop us last time, when the restrictions were imposed, so I hope it doesn't, this time around."
Livestock and Rural Transporters Association of Victoria president John Beer said he felt common sense would prevail.
"I think it will be much the same as South Australia," Mr Beer said.
"I would reckon you might have to do a bit of paperwork, as to where you have been and where you are going," Mr Beer said.
But he said he expected the situation would be handled in a similar way to that with the SA shutdown.
He stressed drivers should travel alone.
"Don't put passengers in your truck, just go as a sole driver," he said.
"I know, in Queensland, they were looking for passengers, so don't take passengers, no family, or nothing like that, go by yourself and you will be right."