After two years of COVID-19 restrictions, local businesses were relying on the tourism industry bouncing back.
The Cobram population traditionally swells to roughly 20,000 people during the summer as visitors flock to the Murray River for camping, fishing and swimming.
Within the Moira Shire, 11,967 people are employed in the tourism industry and the sector is the 10th highest contributor to the local economy.
However following recent flooding along the Murray, visitor numbers are yet to return to normal.
Moira Shire Council chief executive Clare Keenan has called on visitors not to strike Cobram off their holiday list but rather book ahead to avoid disappointment.
“Flooding has severely affected tourism, with road closures, damage to parks, negative publicity, booking cancellations, closure of access to the Murray River and Barmah National Park,” Ms Keenan said.
She is calling for the state government to help the area by forming a state body or authority to support landowners to manage and maintain levees, so towns and farms are better protected in the future.
Cobram East Caravan Park owner and operator Wayne Harris has first-hand experience of the negative impact the flooding has had on tourism.
“People are worried about being stuck up here if it rains again. Also not being able to access the river itself is a concern,” Mr Harris said.
Despite being unaffected by the flooding itself, his business has seen a lot of cancellations, including a loss of bookings on the Melbourne Cup weekend.
There has additionally been a decrease in seasonal workers, who would otherwise often travel to the area.
Though Murray River levels are dropping, access to the river is still blocked in many areas.
Mr Harris’ experience has been replicated at Barooga Sporties where, according to marketing manager Caleb Brooks, there have been a lot of premature cancellations.
“They see the news about Echuca-Moama and think every community along the Murray River has been equally affected,” Mr Brooks said.
Despite the river still being inaccessible Mr Brooks said Cobram still had plenty for visitors to do.
“Our community is better prepared than most to cater to activities that don’t revolve around camping and the river and there is still plenty of attractions in our area,” Mr Brooks said.
Ms Keenan said Cobram was one of the least affected destinations along the Murray River.
“(We have) golf, food and wine (and) our operators are all looking forward to seeing you,” she said.
Other activities tourists can enjoy include the Barooga Sporties mini golf and indoor simulator, Manto’s Produce Providore and the Melbourne to the Murray Silo Art Road Trip.
So the message emerging from the town loud and clear is for all to tell your friends, family and associates that Cobram is the place to visit this summer
For more things to do in the region, visit www.moira.vic.gov.au/Visitors/Visitor-Information-Points/
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