Caught in COVID cross border chaos? Have your say now

The NSW Cross-Border Commissioner, James McTavish, is seeking input from businesses regarding their cross border experience in the NSW-Victoria border region.
Some costly, timewasting Covid controls also served to highlight a serious misconception – that laws both sides of the border are the same.

The glaring differences uncovered, even with people unaware of who to approach in the opposite state for the most basic explanations of regulations and protocols, confirmed some research such as this.

At its worst, farmers were trapped on the wrong side of the Murray, or were denied access to farms in the other state.
The Commissioner is looking to use the information to help improve the regulatory system in both NSW and Victoria, and to advocate for changes that reduce those additional costs.

To do this, they need to know how much these regulations impact you and your business.

They’re also looking to increase opportunities for businesses that provide services across the border.
To have your say, please complete the survey here: https://forms.gle/VUWieJBjN6BXZNNJ7 which closes on Friday.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has been engaged to do the survey and information analysis. All answers provided are confidential, and will not be shared with the NSW Government, or any other third party, except in an aggregated or anonymised format. If you have questions about the survey or study, please contact au_border_business_survey@pwc.com
If you participate in the study, the findings will be shared with you once the study is completed

Digital Editions


  • Collection under the hammer

    Collection under the hammer

    AN eclectic curation of vintage and antique Australian pastoral machinery and memorabilia will go to auction on 1 February. Yvon Smythe and her late partner,…

More News

  • Calls flow for royal commission

    Calls flow for royal commission

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 524159 AUSTRALIA needs a royal commission into water management in 2026, according to Murray MP Helen Dalton, who says politicians are “destroying” the nation’s…

  • Big skies and farmscapes

    Big skies and farmscapes

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 524028 THE Gallery Balranald is currently showcasing the work of professional artist Graham Hearn. His latest exhibition, Big Skies and Farmscapes, reflects the vast scale and…

  • Difficult outlook for grape growers

    Difficult outlook for grape growers

    Murray Valley Winegrowers has acknowledged the findings of Wine Australia’s Australian Wine Production, Sales and Inventory Report 2025, which confirms the challenging market conditions facing growers. The newly released report…

  • Benham appointed to new ag role

    Benham appointed to new ag role

    The Nationals member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has been appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development, as part of Jess Wilson’s new Shadow Cabinet announcement. Ms Benham said…

  • Connecting urban and rural Australia

    Connecting urban and rural Australia

    HAMISH McIntyre grew up on the land in Queensland, learning the rhythms of farming from his family. Today, he runs a sprawling family business across the St George, Dirranbandi, Quilpie,…

  • Farmers warned to stay alert

    Farmers warned to stay alert

    A RUN of booming haystack and shed fires across regional Victoria has sparked fresh warnings for farmers as hay season rolls into full swing. Fire crews in the west and…

  • Bumper harvest fuels Cobram Estate’s growth

    Bumper harvest fuels Cobram Estate’s growth

    COBRAM Estate Olives has reported one of its strongest years on record, with an exceptional “on-year’’ harvest in Australia driving improved earnings, higher production volumes and a confident outlook from…

  • Select Harvests’ cracking pace

    Select Harvests’ cracking pace

    SELECT Harvests Limited has released its 2025 business update, reporting a final almond crop estimate of 24,700 tonnes, slightly below the midpoint of its earlier forecast. The company says the…

  • Further water buybacks anger farming industry

    Further water buybacks anger farming industry

    FARMERS, politicians and advocacy bodies are warning further water buybacks announced last week will gut regional towns, drive up food prices and cripple Australia’s dairy heartland. Federal Water Minister Murray…

  • Farmer takes action in feral pig fight

    Farmer takes action in feral pig fight

    IN THE heart of south-western New South Wales, sheep and cattle farmer Colin McCrabb is waging a quiet war against a destructive and elusive enemy -feral pigs. Operating a 6800-hectare…