NSW Police officers will be stationed across four major roads, 33 bridges, and two waterway crossings to enforce a new public health order that will result in the state’s Victorian border closing from midnight Tuesday.
Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said the enormity of the task was “not lost on me” as he detailed the logistics of the operation.
He said while the primary focus would be on the four main arterial roads, police, Defense Force personnel and other emergency service workers would be lined up at the border crossings, backed up by 24/7 surveillance.“You know, someone could choose to swim across the river, walk through the bush, there are dirt tracks, we will be using drones and other aerial surveillance,” he told reporters on Monday.
“There are 11 local government areas, five police districts, that will all have to pull together to make sure this operation is a success.”
Fuller confirmed NSW Police had contacted the Department of Defense with a fresh request for Defense assistance with the border operation.
He warned travelers it would be “difficult, not impossible” to make the crossing, saying they should expect delays as authorities work through travel exemptions.Applications for exemption permits will be available from Service NSW from Tuesday.“We will take a sensible but pragmatic approach to those coming into New South Wales to ensure we protect the people of New South Wales,” Fuller said.
New powers
Fuller said he had contacted NSW Health Minister Brad Hazard to request new powers under the Health Act to turn people around, and new fines for those who are misleading in their exemption application.“So there are certainly strong powers in place but we will be seeking additional powers around on the spot fines, especially for those who mislead New South Wales in their exemption application,” he said.
At this stage, those travelling across the border from Victoria’s COVID hotspots could face a maximum penalty of six months jail and/or an $11,000 fine.The border announcement comes after Victoria recorded its biggest day of corona virus cases on Monday with 127 positive tests in the past 24 hours.Thirty-four cases are connected to known outbreaks, 40 are from routine testing and 53 have been found in the public housing towers that are in a hard lock down.
