Living in the new 50km radius border bubble has presented new challenges for local residents and lockdowns in Melbourne are having an extremely adverse effect on the normal trade of our local businesses.
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The closed NSW and Victorian border together with restrictions on Melburnians leaving home for the country have hit local businesses hard despite the permit system allowing local residents residing within a 50km radius being able to cross the border and resume normal living.
“We were just picking up business again and now cancellations have come again,” Mulwala Paradise Palms Motel’s Sophie Taylor told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
“We were looking forward to welcoming people again – they’re mostly from Victoria – before the latest restrictions.”
Additional restrictions placed on people, have, of course, resulted with the increasing incidence of COVID-19 cases, especially in Melbourne.
Melbourne is now in lockdown and the restrictions also include closing the border into NSW by Victorians unless for work, education, health or daily life matters.
Ms Taylor is looking forward to that next lot of bookings and has a message for everyone. “If people do the right thing we can get over it sooner rather than later,” she said.
Central Yarrawonga Motor Inn’s Sheree Morley described the situation as “‘shocking”. “It was just starting to pick up again and now this latest round of restrictions. We’re down to just four people at present,” she said.
“Our major seniors tours with a lot of Autumn bookings were lost – that’s on top of the loss at Easter with the earlier restrictions - and it’s not looking good for Spring.”
Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort’s accommodation and visiting golfers have taken a big hit. “Obviously it’s had a substantial effect on our trading and accommodation bookings,” club CEO Peter Savy said.
“For example, our unit usage has just gone down from 30 rooms to two. We have six people in, from NSW. All of our Victorian bookings have virtually been cancelled. And obviously dining has been dramatically reduced so bar and catering have taken a hit.”
There has, however, been increased patronage by locals in the clubhouse and on the golf course. “It’s been good with locals,” Mr Savy said, to which Pro Shop Manager Evan Droop agreed.
“Local numbers have been strong, the numbers have increased,” the head professional said, “because many normally head north for the warmer weather at this time of year.
“But our visitor numbers have taken a big hit and overall we’re well down. We’d be down on visitor numbers by up to 200 a weekend.”
Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism and Business Executive Officer Noel Wright is aware of refunds on accommodation for now cancelled bookings or credits given for future accommodation.
“Seventy per cent of visitors are Melburnites and fortunately this is not our busy period. It looks like being pretty quiet for six weeks and let’s hope it’s no longer. We want to welcome visitors to our beautiful twin towns.”
Hard Luck Coffee Co owner Jarrod Elliott said he has also experienced some downturn in trade.
“Business has been pretty good but we did slow down with the latest announcement of restrictions in Melbourne,” he said.
“That could also have something to do with the end of school holidays but we have had a lot of local support.
“We were worried with the border closures as two of our staff live in Mulwala but they have not had trouble getting passes and getting back into NSW.”
Business owner Robert Purtle OAM of Purtle Electrical Pty Ltd Mulwala said the border permit system has had no effect whatsoever on his business, with the company’s workforce moving freely, with a permit, between Yarrawonga and Mulwala for work purposes and being cross border residents.