MOAMA’S tourism industry has been brought to its knees by the latest NSW-Victoria border closure.
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When the Victorian Government announced it was closing its doors to NSW on Thursday, December 31, it sparked a tsunami of Victorian holidaymakers in NSW flooding border crossing points; creating gridlocks that took all night and the next day to clear.
In just those few hours, the pain and suffering – which many had hoped was being left behind in 2020 – meant new year celebrations were anything but.
And once again businesses were left to pick up the pieces.
Echuca Moama Accommodation Association co-president Paul Lavars said people were fearful what the future may hold for their businesses.
“The majority of us have gone from 100 per cent capacity into the next four weeks to one per cent in the space of just a few days,” he said.
“January is the biggest month for business in Moama and it could possibly flow into February with no events including the Southern 80.
“It was a little bit different in July because some operators were only about 30 per cent full.
“Then when you look across in Echuca and all the accommodation is 100 per cent full. It makes it hard to comprehend.
“This has been devastating for us.”
Mr Lavars, who is also the sales and marketing manager at Rich River Golf Club, said he had seen the impact directly.
“We spent all of Thursday afternoon and Friday refunding people’s money,” he said.
“The club had all 63 rooms full, we now have one person in here.
“We’ve also got to look at whether we qualify for the JobKeeper subsidy again.
“Because we had an increased revenue in the past several weeks it could mean we might miss out.”
Echuca Moama Tourism chief executive Kathryn Mackenzie said the news had been difficult to comprehend.
“It has been tough for everyone,” he said.
“Our operators were finally starting to see some cash flow, but they had to sit and watch that money walk right out their doors.
“We were fully booked until the end of January and now people are being forced to cancel their plans.
“It’s just as disappointing for our visitors because they were looking to make the most of their time away after a tough year.”
Echuca Moama Tourism chief executive Kathryn Mackenzie said the news had been difficult to comprehend.
“It has been tough for everyone,” he said.
“Our operators were finally starting to see some cash flow, but they had to sit and watch that money walk right out their doors.
“We were fully booked until the end of January and now people are being forced to cancel their plans.
“It’s just as disappointing for our visitors because they were looking to make the most of their time away after a tough year.”
Ms Mackenzie said EMT would continue working to support those who had been affected.
“We have to pick up the pieces again,” she said.
“Our community spirit has been outstanding throughout the pandemic and I don’t expect that to change.
“We will be working with the government to see what support is on offer.
“Hopefully this is only a short-lived situation.”
The Nationals leader and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said he had been inundated on social media by people impacted, confused “and very angry” about the “incredibly short notice” of Victoria’s COVID deadlines.
Mr Walsh said he has been working overtime to try and get every improvement possible, such as increased staffing at testing hubs such as Echuca Regional Health.
He said the economic impact of this latest “policy on the run” would be “terribly compounded” by emotional trauma.
“Victorians everywhere were doing exactly what they have been encouraged to do as their part in the COVID recovery,” Mr Walsh said.
“That was to book domestic holidays, get out in the regions and spend money – and they did,” he said.
“Hotels, motels, resorts, caravan parks and camping grounds across my electorate were chockers and all those business owners, and the supporting shops and services welcoming back thousands of tourists, have been left gutted and shattered as they watched the massive flood of tourists immediately abandon their holidays and head home.
“Moama’s tourism infrastructure was all but booked out, and all those people are vital to boost the economy of the twin towns and now they are gone. It’s going to make our recovery so much harder.”