However, business owners have been left disappointed that a dedicated Business Bushfire Recovery Grant program will provide $5000 grants to small businesses and eligible primary producers that have experienced significant disruptions and revenue losses due to the fires.
In previous fire recovery packages, including the 2024 Pomonal fires, businesses could access $10,000 grants.
Phill Goullet, who owns the Happy Wanderer at Wartook, said both Grampians fires had affected his business’ income – either through closure of the national park or evacuation and road closures.
Mr Goullet said he was ‘gutted’ when he heard the details of the government funding.
“I thought ‘oh you’re joking’. Just over the New Year’s Eve period we had to refund about $17,000 to people – we tried to save a lot of it by saying we’ll give you a credit for it later on in the year,” he said.
“We weren’t impacted by the fire, but they still wanted to cancel because they’re saying ‘we’re not coming to a bushfire-ravaged area’.”
The funding package also includes a Business Recovery Advisory service, providing free business support for impacted businesses, and funding for tourism marketing and promotional activities to boost visitor numbers to the region, in addition to $100,000 for Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism to deliver immediate industry support.
The package also includes a Gate Fee Rebate Program allowing affected residents in the Horsham, Ararat, Northern Grampians and Southern Grampians municipalities to dispose of waste free of charge.
Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman said the environmental recovery package was important to prioritise the reopening of and attracting visitors to the Grampians Peaks Trail.
“We know people travel from overseas to experience that long distance walk, so it’s some good news with recovery from the state and federal government, but also some great news in some of those areas that will mean that we’ve got a great experience to bring people back too,” he said.
“$5000 grants are a start to helping businesses recover, but for some larger businesses, that’s not going to be enough to support them or assist them in any of that recovery. Some of our businesses have been significantly impacted, so we’re still working through details of those grants.”
Federal Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister said the bushfires have had an enduring impact on communities in the Grampians.
“These programs will support small businesses in the area as they recover from these significant fire events,” she said.
Victorian Emergency Services Minister Vicki Ward said it had been a challenging and disappointing summer for the region.
“The Grampians have officially moved from being in an emergency response to recovery – this support will help keep that momentum moving and encourage more people back to one of the most beautiful parts of Victoria,” she said.
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said support for businesses impacted by the Grampians bushfires was long overdue, given the fires started 85 days ago and there had been very little trade in the region over that time.
“But this announcement simply doesn’t go far enough. With so many businesses at breaking point and tourism trade at all-time lows, the Premier must explain why Labor has only announced half the usual amount provided following a natural disaster,” she said.
“Our community has been exceptional in supporting our own during and following the bushfires.
“It’s now time for government to step up and deliver meaningful support to save businesses and reinvigorate tourism to our beautiful part of the state.”
The entire March 12, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
The entire March 12, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
