Calls for greater government support have followed last week’s announcement of a $29-milion recovery package for the region.

The state and federal governments last week announced $24-million to deliver support to businesses through $5000 grants for affected businesses and primary producers, a Business Recovery Advisory Service, and funding for tourism marketing and promotional activities, on top of $100,000 for Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism.

There was also a $5-million allocation to environmental recovery to support the survival of key native species and the recovery and restoration of fire-affected public land, waterways and catchments in the Grampians National Park.

The announcement comes more than 80 days after the initial Yarram Gap fire began in the south-east of the Grampians in December.

Two other major fires in the Grampians then followed in late January, coinciding with the Little Desert National Park fire.

While most businesses were not physically damaged by the fires, they were forced to close for extended periods of time and also suffered financially through cancelled bookings.

One Halls Gap business reported having to refund $244,000 to customers due to cancelled bookings after the Yarram Gap fire. Caravan and Residential Parks Victoria chief executive Scott Parker welcomed the funding as an initial first step in Grampians recovery but said more targeted support was necessary for the region.

“The announcement falls short of delivering direct and meaningful assistance to the tourist parks that form the backbone of the Grampians’ tourism industry,” he said.

“The tourism promotion package needs to encourage longer stays in the region. 

“This would better support local businesses, including our regulated tourist parks, which are essential to maintaining jobs and the local economy as the region recovers.”

Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton, who visited Halls Gap in January to meet with fire-affected business owners, said Labor had let down the people of the Grampians. 

“Yes, the bushfires have passed, but their effects remain,” he said.

“The insurance companies are on notice: they need to do better on affordability and availability of insurance. 

“But importantly, the Allan government and the Albanese government are on notice too: they need to deliver for the people of Halls Gap and the Grampians because so far they’ve simply ignored the needs of the community at their time of need.

“It is a disgrace how little state and federal Labor has offered to small businesses in this iconic part of Australia as it gets back on its feet.”

Mr Dutton said he would continue to raise the issue of support with the Prime Minister.

“The region needs a helping hand to get its businesses thriving again, turbo-charging tourism and getting people visiting again,” he said.

Member for Mallee Anne Webster said business owners were ‘furious’ at the ‘miniscule amount offered’ through the $5000 grants.

“$5000 per business does not even scratch the sides of how much these businesses have lost during this agonising period of closure and anxiously waiting for support,” she said.

 

EDITORIAL: Show your support for Grampians businesses

 

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