NSW Farmers president James Jackson says a sensible approach is needed to manage the Vic…
Border bubble extended by Queensland
Queensland has announced it is extending its border zone to include residents from the Byron, Ballina, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Glen Innes areas, from 1am on Thursday October 1.
The announcement also means Queensland residents will be able to travel to these chosen areas, which includes 41 postcodes and 11 local government areas, as long as they apply for a permit.
Palaszczuk said the decision to relax the rules on the border bubble was made due to the low numbers of coronavirus cases that have been identified in regional NSW.
“Border residents can apply for a border pass and travel around Queensland for any purpose, and Queenslanders can travel to those places as well.
“I think this is a great effort to consider how we can make our border zones more effective. These areas have a lot in common with Queensland, and they do a lot of their business in Queensland, and so we believe this is the right measure to take.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk
More easing on the cards
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said if there is a continuation of very low or no new cases in then further restrictions could be relaxed from this Friday. “Hopefully that will happen as we move into the weekend, and people in Brisbane and Ipswich will be able to gather in groups of 30,” Dr Young told the ABC.
Border bubble relaxed in time for harvest
The easing of the tough border restrictions come as many grains growers in Northern NSW head into what will be a bumper harvest this year due to more generous than usual rainfall.
Last month, NSW Farmers welcomed a Queensland-New South Wales border exemption which allowed farmers and agriculture workers to move freely between the two states.
This latest restriction easing will only further help with the coming harvest.
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Thanks to all concerned in achieving a sensible and long overdue outcome, including Adam Marshall MP and NSW Farmers. This action could have been taken a month or more back as nothing is different today than it was a month ago in northern New South Wales. It figures that other local government areas (eg Inverell) should be included in the bubble as their case is the same.
The new provisions will assist our farm operation as we have been waiting to get two people from Queensland to the farm to carry out essential projects.