July 9th 2020.

Recent announcements by the Victorian and New South Wales State governments concerning border closures due to the COVID 19 pandemic is placing an economic stranglehold on businesses and families in the South East region.  Chair Cr. Marianne Pelz comments “there is much border trade that exists between New South Wales and Victoria and this is being overlooked due to metropolitan pandemic issues.  SEATS seeks the free flow of freight logistics through the border crossing areas”.

The following recommendations are provided for urgent consideration:

• Ensure that trucks will still be allowed to cross the NSW / VIC state borders and that border control checking should not exceed a targeted 15 minutes per vehicle queue time.  SEATS are concerned about Driver Fatigue Management and road safety and the delays border checking will have on driving hours
• Publish any measures in place at border crossings to check trucks and truck drivers crossing, whether this includes temperature checks on drivers, etc
• Guarantee freight and logistics companies are allowed into NSW if these companies have supporting evidence but have not been able to get a permit
• For freight and logistics truck drivers arriving in NSW from Victoria they should not be subject to self-isolation / quarantine for 14 days.

Regional trade flows should not be penalised by restrictive inter-state border controls given that the pandemic challenge is centred on metropolitan areas.  Regional economies rely upon sustainable inter-state supply chains and SEATS is seeking government acknowledgment of these recommendations