A house shift from Wodonga to Albury is not permitted under present crossing restrictions and a Border property agent says this must change.
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William Bonnici, of First National Real Estate Bonnici & Associates, said while he supported vigilance in the fight against COVID-19, the present border closure could stop North East buyers from relocating to NSW homes they legally owned.
"We've had situations where people have settled on a property and found it extremely difficult to get across the border," he said.
"There is no current permit for them to be able to move across, even with self-isolation. That needs to be addressed."
The NSW government's border restrictions guide simply states "moving house is not a permitted reason to enter NSW" under the cross-border travel section.
Lavington agent Greg Wood, of Wood Real Estate, queried why people would not be allowed to move into a new property.
"When you're moving house, it's a roof over your head, they've got to actually have somewhere to live," he said.
"Surely they can go move into their own home."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Mr Bonnici said barriers also arose for NSW people seeking to relocate to West Wodonga or Baranduda.
"I'm not talking about people that are coming from Sydney or Gosford or Batemans Bay, I'm talking about people who are currently living with Mum and Dad in Albury, for example, and looking to buy their first home," he said.
"Even though they can come across, it's not one of the reasons to get home."
The agent said the situation showed the government decision makers did not understand the Albury-Wodonga community.
"They're either ill-informed, apathetic or naive," he said.
"I'm all for checkpoints, in fact I'd like some more, but the checkpoints should be around Melbourne and around Sydney.
"If government start treating our community .... as a bit of a pawn or with arrogance or contempt, then there will be anger, confusion and ultimately anarchy when people will start doing what the hell they want because they lose faith in the government."
