Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is calling on the NSW Government to ensure a better deal for our unique border communities, particularly as residents and businesses navigate the economic and social challenges of recovering from Covid-19 restrictions.
Ms Saffin has asked new NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, if the Government can develop an overarching policy framework to ensure that local government areas within the Northern Rivers and Northern Tablelands regions are treated as unique border communities with specific cross-border needs.
Ms Saffin has stated she believes a policy framework, backed by more funding, would make work and daily life easier for thousands of residents who live and work along the border.
She also put on record veteran Tenterfield Shire Councillor Gary Verri’s current thoughts on the cross-border situation, the subject of an earlier email to the Premier.
He stated that Tenterfield Shire starts on the outskirts of Tenterfield town and adjoins the Queensland border as far northeast as Woodenbong.
“The area of White Swamp is closer to Brisbane than it is to Tenterfield,” he said.
“Therein lies our problem; all of the visitors to the tourist venues in A Ward are entirely dependent on the Queensland border being open, and while I realise the NSW Government can’t get the Queensland Government to open the border, I believe that the NSW Government could and should help the border businesses.
“The villages of Liston, Legume, Jennings depend entirely on Queensland for patronage to the businesses in those villages.
Councillor Verri stated that Urbenville also relies to some extent on Queensland.
“Some of the border tourist ventures haven’t had visitors in months and at present there is no point in opening until the borders are open without restrictions.
“At Jennings, the hotel was planning the celebration of its centennial next year (2022) but as the pub’s licensee of 15 years points out, the till is empty, without trade or patrons being denied access because of the border restrictions.
“Jennings is the smaller part of the twin towns of Wallangarra/Jennings and relies on Wallangarra for most of its patronage.
“I’m not standing for Council in the upcoming elections so I’m writing to you out of a sense of duty,” he said.
Ms Saffin said Councillor Verri had always stood up for more isolated towns and villages, and his contribution points to a lot of problems we have in border communities.
“It can be very challenging and difficult.”
“We need to make things easier,” Ms Saffin said.
