10 September 2021
Queensland’s border bubble with New South Wales is set to reopen, following an announcement by the Queensland Government.
From 1am on Monday, 13 September, travel for essential work and essential purposes, between Queensland and most Local Government Areas (all LGAs east of Moree Plains, inclusive) in the New South Wales border zone, will be allowed.
Essential work means any work or volunteering that cannot be reasonably done from home.
People crossing the border for essential work will need to have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Essential purposes include going to work, school and receiving medical care. These changes do not allow for travel across the border for recreation or social visits.
Residents in the LGAs of Walgett, Brewarrina, Bourke, and the Unincorporated Far West will remain subject to the current restrictions.
Queensland residents can only enter the New South Wales border zone for the time necessary to complete an essential purpose, and travel no further than the border zone.
The 12 LGAs are:
- Tweed
- Ballina
- Byron
- Richmond Valley
- Lismore
- Moree Plains
- Gwydir
- Clarence Valley
- Inverell
- Glen Innes Severn Shire
- Tenterfield
- Kyogle
UPDATE 17/09/2021: From 1am Saturday 18 September, the local government area of Glen Innes will no longer be part of the non-restricted border zone. Border zone residents who have been in Glen Innes will only be allowed into Queensland for limited essential purposes, including health care, work, education, essential shopping and to provide care to vulnerable people.
UPDATE 21/09/2021: From 1am Wednesday 22 September, the local government areas of Tweed and Byron will no longer be part of the non-restricted border zone. Border zone residents who have been in these areas will only be allowed into Queensland for limited essential purposes, including health care, work, education, essential shopping and to provide care to vulnerable people.
UPDATE 23/09/2021: The NSW Government has announced the end of stay-at-home restrictions for the City of Lismore and Brewarrina Shire Council LGAs. From 1am Thursday 23 September, Lismore and Brewarrina Shire have moved from the restricted border zone and back into the non-restricted border zone.
UPDATE 24/09/2021: The NSW Government has announced the end of stay-at-home restrictions for Glen Innes Severn Shire Council LGA. From 1am Friday 24 September, Glen Innes has moved from the restricted border zone and back into the non-restricted border zone.
Anyone entering Queensland from those LGAs cannot have travelled into other locked down LGAs in the past 14 days.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR CONSTRUCTION
As an industry, we can now recommence work where required in Queensland or in the New South Wales border zone.
If you're crossing the border, we encourage you to carry information about the location and purpose of your work, so that this can be presented to border authorities if requested.
BORDER PASSES
Prior to travelling, ensure that you have completed the relevant border pass.
The situation at the border can get congested and difficult, so the Queensland Police Service is asking that we have patience and have the correct passes.
EXTRA ADVICE FOR MEMBERS
- Ensure your COVID-19 plan is up-to-date
- Implement hygiene measures – hand wash, sanitiser, and cleaning protocols
- Ensure social distancing measures are in place and enforced
- Limit numbers of people doing tasks to only those necessary
GOT QUESTIONS? GET IN TOUCH
As usual, our staff are here to help. If you have a question on how the border closure will affect your business, give us a call on 1300 30 50 10. Our specialists are here and available to talk you through the options.
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