A VICTORIAN government task force looks to provide on-the-ground support to regions of the state affected by border closures and restrictions.
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The 'border brokers' team will work alongside Victoria's cross-border commissioner Luke Wilson to support businesses and industries impacted by tightening restrictions with South Australia and New South Wales.
The team will include eight brokers operating across the Grampians, Loddon Mallee, Hume Gippsland and Barwon South West regions.
Work will include advocating on behalf of border communities, and working with state and local governments, chambers of commerce, agricultural stakeholders, industry, regional tourism boards and community groups to identify and triage issues.
The team will work on solutions to challenges such as access to the workforce and help to ensure supply of necessary goods and services to local businesses.
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The Brokers will also be able to help connect cross-border residents with pandemic support provided by the Victorian government.
The eight brokers will be jointly led by Regional Development Victoria and Agriculture Victoria.
Apsley resident and Cross Border Call Out group founder Paula Gust said she had spoken to Mr Wilson about the new appointment, but still had concerns about community member's accessibility to the brokers.
"I would hope that these people are accessible to the general public, but the roles are predominantly to support businesses and transport goods and services to help business continue to operate through closures" she said.
"I am very keen to find out who they are and where they are located. I asked Luke (Wilson) straight out whether these people are from the region and he assured me they are.
"The border region to me is not Horsham, it is not Ballarat or Bendigo. We are really hoping these people are on the ground, living it, learning, hearing about it and are approachable and accessible for the people that need their help."
Minister for Regional Development and Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas said the 'border brokers' team came about as a recognition of the hardships faced by the border community as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.
"The restrictions in place along our border are necessary to keep border communities safe, but we understand that communities need support - that is why we are responding with a team of border brokers," she said.
"The border brokers will be a new point of contact on the ground to help our communities impacted by challenges from the pandemic. They will be a crucial step in ensuring our border communities continue to have a strong voice as we recover from the pandemic."
Brokers will also be included in the membership for the Victorian government's Border Representative Reference Group, which was established in August.
For more information go to rdv.vic.gov.au.
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