The Albury-Wodonga region's economy has taken a $100 million plus hit since the border was closed nearly two months ago.
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Data crunched on a group of council areas including Albury, Wodonga, Federation, Greater Hume and Indigo reveals the knock-on impact of more than 3000 people being unable to work due to travel restrictions in the first month of the closure topped $77 million.
With permit rules tightening on two more occasions before NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro this week flagged some long overdue, but yet to be confirmed easing of restrictions, the economic fallout comfortably exceeds $100 million.
If the present border closure restrictions remained in place until Christmas, the figure could easily blow out to $300 million and be the biggest economic crisis to hit the region since World War II.
The situation is compounded with a second round of stage three restrictions in regional Victoria.
"The 50km north-south expansion of the border zone along the Murray River, as announced on Tuesday, will allow some, but not all, of those people to return to work," Albury mayor Kevin Mack said.
"The NSW government has announced a program of funding grants for small businesses affected by the closure and we urge all eligible operators to apply.
"Importantly, the government has agreed to establish a southern border recovery committee, which we understand will provide a sounding board to test proposed border changes prior to their implementation, examine ways of using government financial support to help local businesses, as well as restoring the confidence and well-being of our community."
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The 3234 people unable to go to work due to the border closure represents close to five per cent of the total labour force.
There has also been a $40 million decrease in Gross Regional Product in the first month of the border closure.
Business leaders want input into the revised permit changes flagged by Mr Barilaro this week before they are officially gazetted as the latest amendment to the NSW Public Health Order.
The addition of towns such as Culcairn, Henty, Rutherglen, Beechworth and Yackandandah into the border region will have the biggest impact on returning people to work with more than 1000 critical service workers estimated to be back n employment.
Greater Hume Shire is sweating on Culcairn and Henty being returned in part due to a $7 million bridge and roadworks project east of Holbrook about to start.
"I hope it will happen, but until you see the fine print you just don't know," Greater Hume mayor Heather Wilton said.
"You go down these paths with great expectations only to be knee-capped at the last minute."
Meanwhile Albury Council has drafted up short and long term projects worth a combined $142 million for the state government to consider funding to provide some economic stimulus.
They would create 818 jobs during construction and 435 ongoing positions and include improvements to Alexandra Park, Lauren Jackson Sports Centre, Albury Entertainment Centre and the airport.
The big ticket item is Borella Road-Riverina Highway corridor works worth $60 million and create better access to Albury hospital, cancer centre, airport, and Bunnings and Harvey Norman shopping centres.
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