Border “breaking” rural communities

Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood has told state parliament he cannot stand by and ignore the difficulties faced by rural towns under metropolitan restrictions.

Mr Blackwood told Parliament on Wednesday the rural farming areas of Cardinia Shire were suffering and facing economic “breaking point.”

He pleaded for Nar Nar Goon and all areas to the east, north and south to be removed from the metropolitan boundary.

“We cannot continue to punish people in towns that have had no infections for more than 45 days or in many cases no infections for the duration of this pandemic.

“We cannot continue to impose the threat of bankruptcy on businesses in areas that continue to do the right thing for the sake of their community.

“We cannot continue to punish people of faith whose mental strength is maintained by group prayer.

“If you drive one kilometre from the centre of each town you are more likely to see 400 cows than 400 people,” he said.

Mr Blackwood said he wrote to chief health officer Brett Sutton and Premier Daniel Andrews on two occasions in September.

He said he received a response from Mr Sutton to both letters but nothing from Mr Andrews.

“I can understand that it is difficult to manipulate the local government boundaries, but with the impact these restrictions are having on the people in these areas I believe we have to look at options.

“Every day we are receiving heartfelt pleas from families and individuals living in rural areas really struggling with the stage four metro restrictions.

“I cannot stand by and ignore the difficulties these residents are facing.

“I have been accused of being divisive and offering false hope, but I am compelled to stand up for these families and at least try and offer the premier and the chief health officer an alternative solution for these towns,” he said.

Mr Blackwood said restrictions by postcode should be considered.

“We have the police checkpoints in place and they can continue to manage the movement of people,” he said.

At Sunday’s press conference, Mr Andrews indicated there was a very small group of residents impacted by the borders at Little River that they were reviewing.

Aside from that, the premier has always maintained a strong stance on maintaining the current metropolitanregional split.

He said the “ring of steel” around Melbourne would continue while the data and science differences remained between the two areas.

“We will have the checkpoints gone as soon as we can but we aren’t there yet,” he said.