RURAL City of Wangaratta mayor Dean Rees has called for the rural city to be included in the border bubble and representatives with local knowledge to be making the decisions surrounding travel on the New South Wales and Victorian border.

Cr Rees said the economic impact of the border restrictions could be felt well beyond the 50 kilometre zone, about to be reinstated, in a region which had no recorded cases of COVID-19.

He said the city’s $18 million aquatic project, including the 50 metre outdoor pool, could end up being delayed by a couple of months, which could result in people missing out on jobs.