Mayor welcomes announcement on NSW border zone

22 September 2020

Decision follows Council’s request last month for an expansion to be considered

Mayor of Tweed, Councillor Chris Cherry has welcomed the Queensland Government’s decision to expand the NSW border zone.

From Thursday 1 October 2020, Queensland will open its borders to residents in an additional five northern NSW local government areas.

Queensland will also remove the northern boundary of the border zone entirely, meaning residents of the expanded NSW border zone will be able to travel around Queensland for any purpose.

Cr Cherry said she was thrilled by the announcement and thanked all those who had advocated for a change to the border restrictions in recent months.

“The border communities are intrinsically linked and we welcome the announcement from the Premier wholeheartedly. This will support people and businesses, on both sides of the border, which have been impacted by the restrictions,” she said.

In August Council resolved to write to both Premiers asking for consideration of an expanded ‘border bubble’ from the southern border of Ballina Shire to north of Brisbane.

“This change is what Council has advocated for and we are grateful that the Premier has listened to the border communities. I would also like to thank NSW Cross Border Commissioner James McTavish for his advocacy on this issue and for working closely with the Tweed,” Cr Cherry said.

“It means people being able to see loved ones, it will support jobs, especially in the construction industry, and our communities will be able to interact fully again.”

The following five local government areas will be added by the Queensland Government to the NSW border zone from 1am Thursday 1 October:

  • Byron Shire
  • Ballina Shire
  • City of Lismore
  • Richmond Valley
  • Glen Innes Severn Shire
NSW border residents crossing into Queensland will still need to apply for a border declaration pass by visiting www.qld.gov.au/border-pass

Queensland residents will also be able to travel to the expanded NSW border zone and return without the need for quarantine.

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Caption: Mayor of Tweed, Councillor Chris Cherry welcomed the Queensland Premier’s border announcement.

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