Bridges open
WE’RE now over a week into the New South Wales border closure, which has had a significant impact on our communities and businesses, particularly for those of us that need to travel regularly between Victoria and New South Wales.
Following successful advocacy including by the community, council, local state and federal parliamentarians and the cross border commissioners of Victoria and New South Wales, it was great to see the reopening of the Tooleybuc bridge last Thursday afternoon.
The Nyah bridge is also now operating as a check point from 7am to 10pm daily for local residents and freight.
This has come as a great relief to many in our community, including communities of Kenley, Piangil, Nyah, Nyah West, Tooleybuc and Koraleigh.
The closure of these bridges would have had a huge impact on these communities, requiring residents to detour to either Robinvale or Swan Hill, and travelling up to 300 kilometres per day for work, education, or health needs.
Furthermore, the Nyah and Murrabit bridges were the only wide load crossings between Echuca/Moama and Robinvale, also some 280 kilometres travel.
As mentioned last week, we understand the reasons for this temporary closure, and as a community we will do our part to make sure we remain safe.
However, we hope that the temporary border closure is short-lived. Permits to travel between New South Wales and Victoria, for work, study or other essential business are available through www.service.nsw.gov.au.
If you need assistance to apply for a border entry permit, or know someone who needs assistance to apply for the permit, help is available via an appointment through Swan Hill Neighbourhood House and Network House in Robinvale. Swan Hill Neighbourhood House can be contacted on 5032 1549 and Network House Robinvale on 5026 4128.
Community grants now open
APPLICATIONS for council’s community grants program are now open.
Community groups and event organisers can apply for up to $5000 from the grants program.
The program is broken into two categories – the event support fund and community development fund.
The event support fund is for assistance to new and existing events that encourage social and economic benefits to our region.
The community development fund helps eligible community groups and organisations to meet their goals.
Application forms and guidelines are available via council’s website www.swanhill.vic.gov.au.
Applications close on August 17 at 5pm.
For more information, contact the economic and community development team on 5032 3033 or email ecodev@swanhill.vic.gov.au.
Pyap cruises suspended
DUE to updated advice from NSW Maritime around the border closure between New South Wales and Victoria, the Pioneer Settlement’s Pyap cruises have been suspended.
NSW Maritime now requires each person on board a commercial or recreational vessel using the Murray River to have a permit.
The Murray Regional Tourism Board, of which council is a member, is continuing to work with the New South Wales Government to find a solution.
Council and the Pioneer Settlement will continue to provide further updates as they become available.
