A RETURN to a 50-kilometre border zone will boost enterprises near closing and showed commonsense prevailing, business leaders say.
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NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro announced on Tuesday in Albury there would no longer be tight restrictions on border residents crossing the Murray River after lobbying Premier Gladys Berejiklian to ease travel clamps.
"What we're announcing today and we'll work towards over the next seven to 10 days is that we will lift the border restrictions from the current tight two-and-half kilometre border zone back to the 50 kilometre border zone," Mr Barilaro said.
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"It will be, in my view, getting people back to some level of normality and that is daily life, it is not going to be restricted."
The change reverts the permit system to its initial operation in July before exemptions were limited to critical and work needs.
The Nationals leader said he took those concerns to Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Ms Berejiklian and after discussions up until Tuesday morning the Premier endorsed the easing, given the lack of COVID-19 on the Border.
"I stand here representing the Premier, because it is the Premier's wishes that we now start looking after this community," he said.
Australian Industry Group regional manager Tim Farrah said "it's a great result".
"I felt that Mr Barilaro certainly listened on Thursday, I didn't have the same confidence in the people from NSW Health, so it's great to see the politicians have actually made some commonsense ruling and haven't done what they have done in other areas, which is defer all authority to the bureaucrats," Mr Farrah said.
Business NSW regional manager Andrew Cottrill said the shift offered a "light on the horizon".
"This, coupled with business recovery grants, is going to sustain many businesses who are on the cusp of closing," Mr Cottrill said.
Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie was thrilled.
"Seeing people back at work, seeing families reconnected is just sensational news," Cr Speedie said.
"We'll be able to look forward to Father's Day next week and see our families reunited."
Albury mayor Kevin Mack said it was great to see the turnaround from Thursday to Tuesday, while member for Albury Justin Clancy said the move gave a sense of hope and normality.
"It is a significant step forward for our community," Mr Clancy said.