NEARLY 300 Albury businesses are seeking NSW government grants to cope with loss of turnover related to the border closure.
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There have been 282 applications from the city to access the southern border small business support grants.
That equates to $1.925 million with accommodation, hospitality and construction sectors at the forefront of requests.
A huge drop in the number of internet users heading to visitALBURYWODONGA.com last month underlines the impact on tourism of the Border clamp.
There was 14,646 visitors in August compared to 23,835 in July when policing of Murray River crossings began.
Tourism was a focus of Wednesday's southern border recovery committee meeting with Murray Regional Tourism boss Mark Francis and Destination NSW regional tourism development manager Stephen Mahoney addressing the group.
Committee chair and Albury MP Justin Clancy said recommendations to boost tourism and collaborate with Victoria would be taken to the NSW government.
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Youth mental health was also in the spotlight with the committee hearing from Murrumbidgee Local Health District about the number of patients seeking help to deal with COVID fallout.
NSW Mental Health Minister Bronnie Taylor revealed on Wednesday 25 new workers would be employed across the Riverina to help address mental health concerns.
They include 18 support workers and seven clinicians with some to be based at Albury's mind and brain centre as well at Deniliquin, Griffith, Temora, Tumut, Wagga and Young.
"Our border communities continue to face unique struggles as they work to protect their livelihoods while abiding by the necessary public health orders," Mrs Taylor said.
Meanwhile, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Wednesday there remained "too many unknowns" to reopen the Victorian border.
"We need to see what Victoria does and how Melbourne responds when restrictions are eased," Ms Berejiklian said.
She also noted school holidays occurring in Victoria and starting next week in NSW would pose "some risk as well" with the population at its most mobile "since February".
Mr Clancy echoed Albury mayor Kevin Mack's call to continue to physically distance, saying although the community had done well, "one of the biggest risks is around complacency".
