Major glitches in the updated permit system resulting from tighter border closures are going to drag into next week with Albury mayor Kevin Mack flagging they could become even tougher.
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The biggest sticking points including NSW-based medical professionals and other workers needing to self isolate after travelling beyond the border bubble interstate and some Wodonga residential areas remaining outside the blue zone remain despite changes.
"I just don't think it's going to get better," he said.
"I think it's going to get worse."
The NSW-Victoria border closure issues were raised at National Cabinet on Friday with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews among those in attendance.
But the status quo remains even though tweaks have been made to expand the border community blue zone and arrangements made easier for remote communities to access major centres for shopping.
"The Prime Minister and the National Cabinet are monitoring the border situations closely and understand the difficult and complex issues many families and businesses are facing as we all fight to save lives and save livelihoods in a global pandemic," spokesperson for Mr Morrison said.
"The Prime Minister is grateful for the assistance being delivered by the cross-border commissioner to work through the detailed issues being presented because of the unprecedented closure of the border.
"Commonwealth agencies including Centrelink are working as quickly as possible in the circumstances to ensure border communities can continue to access their services.
"The Prime Minister thanks border communities for their patience in these difficult times."
Victoria's regional development minister Jaclyn Symes has been seconded to the job of monitoring the border closure issue for Mr Andrews.
"We know this is a tough time for border communities and we'll do everything we can to support them," she said.
"We accept the decisions of the NSW government to protect their residents' health.
"But it's important to reduce the impact on communities who've built their lives across the border."
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley is also fearful of a tougher border closure.
"My greatest fear is that if the numbers continue to rise in Melbourne, we are more likely to see a hard closure of the border bubble." he said.
"Even tougher permits.
"But we are pushing for a special permit on the grounds of continuity of employment.
"Earlier this year the Prime Minister was asked what jobs were essential. His response was 'all of them'.
"I agree and that's why we are arguing that people with jobs and businesses should be allowed to cross the river even if they live outside the permit zone."
