Border announcement ‘disheartening’

Published on 16 September 2020

Mayor Darriea Turley AM has expressed disappointment over yesterday's announcement regarding the South Australian border.

Locals had been hoping that yesterday's announcement would ease restrictions between SA and NSW, however the announcement was merely an easing of travel restrictions between SA and the ACT.

Under the changes people travelling from the ACT will not have to undertake a 14-day quarantine period when they arrive in SA, however they will be required to complete an online pre-approval and must declare they have not been to NSW or Victoria in the 14 days before they arrive.

Mayor Turley said the announcement would leave many local families bitterly disappointed.

"It's unbelievable that Broken Hill is still effectively being grouped with Victoria and metropolitan Sydney in relation to border restrictions, I think this is going to leave many people feeling incredibly disheartened," said Mayor Turley.

"I understand SA's desire to be cautious, but I would have thought we're now at a point where States can move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to restrictions and start being a little more flexible.

"I will again be contacting the SA Premier and other relevant officials to reiterate the importance of the relationship between Broken Hill and SA, particularly when it comes to health, education, and access to family."

South Australia's Police Commissioner, Grant Stephens, yesterday said that current restrictions between SA and NSW would remain in place for the "foreseeable future".