THE last members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) stepped off the George Chaffey Bridge at 6am on Wednesday as part of the Federal Government’s withdrawal of ADF personnel from state borders.
The move started last week with the removal of officers from the Abbotsford, Euston and Tooleybuc bridges.
NSW Police Inspector Darren Brand said ADF personnel were being replaced by NSW police.
“We’ve got additional police coming down from all over NSW,” Insp Brand said.
More than 3400 ADF personnel were deployed around Australia as part of the federal and state governments’ attempts to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, in recent months, the Federal Government stated this was not a long-term solution.
In September, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said that while ADF personnel were needed to help states control their borders, Australia was not designed to have its borders closed.
Insp Brand said the departure of ADF personnel would not compromise border checks.
He also said plans were in progress to speed up the checkpoint process.
“We know that over the warmer months there will be more traffic. We know that delays are frustrating for the community and that people are sick and tired,” he said.
“We’re working with Victoria Police, VicRoads and council around managing traffic delays on the Mildura side.
“We’ve implemented traffic control officers around peak hours at the San Matteo Avenue and Seventh Street roundabout to reduce delays and improve traffic management.”
