Families will be reunited after more than five months divided when the NSW Victorian border reopens later this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And for Albury MP Justin Clancy that is what will be most rewarding.
"This is very welcome news for our community and I know it couldn't come soon enough," he said.
"But it gives us that hope now - it has been challenging right from the start.
"We pressed that this was not something our community was looking to but knowing the importance and the role it has played in stemming the risk of COVID between the states is postive.
"It has served its purpose but it is now time for it to be lifted."
Speaking after his boss' announcement on Wednesday that the checkpoints dividing border towns will be scrapped on November 23, Mr Clancy said it was perfect timing in time for Christmas.
For families the reopening of the border will be a welcome relief.
"In speaking with local families who have loved ones in Melbourne or across the border, it has been that real sense of anxiety and concern for their loved ones during this time," Mr Clancy said.
"So come November 23, there will be a huge sigh of relief for many Albury families."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Mr Clancy said it was also positive news for tourism businesses north of the Border who will be able to welcome Victorian guests, including those from Melbourne, over the summer holidays.
"It is a really important time heading into Christmas, giving our tourism operators that level of confidence looking to make bookings over that period," he said.
"We really want to push that the Murray River region is a destination to visit, and we want to give people that level of hope as we go into Christmas that they will be able to connect with family."
While Mr Clancy said the news is a positive step, he did warn the community to be aware of COVID and the restrictions still in place.
"I do want to take this opportunity to thank the ADF, NSW police and Service NSW for their efforts during this huge operation and to thank our community to dealing with the border crossings for the best part of six months," he said.
"We all have in our mind that we just want to get through 2020, but the challenge is that we do still have COVID.
"There is no going back to a pre-COVID normal, our new normal is to be always aware of being COVID-safe."
