THE South Australian Government expanding its border zone to 70km will make the day-to-day lives easier for Victorian border residents.

Member for Mildura Ali Cupper said Tuesday’s announcement was a welcome move.

“One of the key issues raised by residents from places like Murrayville was that the border zone was not wide enough to allow them to access towns like Loxton,” Ms Cupper said.

“This will now ensure they can go there to access things like pharmacy and medical services, or other services they could not access at Pinnaroo.”

Ms Cupper also welcomed the SA Government’s assurance it would consider changing the requirement for weekly testing for Victorian border residents.

“This has become a major burden for border residents so it is pleasing to hear SA Premier Steven Marshall acknowledge it was an issue,” she said.

“I don’t accept Mr Marshall’s assertion that there needs to be a national approach on this issue. The SA Government can remove that requirement now – the quicker it is removed the better.”

 Ms Cupper said the fight would continue to allow a border bubble for the entire Mildura local government area.

“The fact remains the Mildura LGA has not had an active case physically in our region since April and as such the risk is extremely low,” she said.

“There are police and other resources at border crossings capable of conducting the proper checks to allow Mildura LGA residents into SA. It can be done if the SA Government has the will to do it.”

Ms Cupper said constituents had been contacting her office daily about a range of issues related to the SA border closure with medical services the most common and pressing.

“The painful separation of families – particularly grandparents from their grandchildren – is also regularly raised,” she said.