Lockdown impacts business

By Jack Morgan

Last week’s restrictions saw local business go almost a week with reduced trade due to the lockdown. Event cancellations saw a variety of business without any income over the weekend, with customers now trying to rebook weddings and functions. 

Adrian Hector and fiancé Emily had their Warragul South wedding cancelled last Saturday. The couple have been planning the wedding for more than a year, and originally hoped to have 140 guests. 

When the lockdown was announced, the couple quickly tried to reschedule with only close contact attendees before what they thought was the midnight cut-off time. But after frantically making phone calls, the couple found the lockdown began at 8pm which meant they were out of time. 

“We’re pretty easy going but it’s definitely added stress leading up to it and then mainly just not knowing when to reschedule,” Mr Hector said.

Mr Hector called off the catering, florist services, and DJ, but some services had already ordered in products. $500 worth of flowers went to waste, and although Mr Hector said the florist was happy to bear the costs, he offered to take up half of it.

Nigel Beck, known as DJ Nige was set to play music at the wedding. He said the wedding cancellation added to the long list of events he will have to reschedule or abandon. 

“There’s so much movement, like I had vowel renewals that have been canned, I’ve had parties canned, I’ve had an 18th in Sale which I couldn’t do,” Beck said.

As a sole trader and operating out of his combi van, Beck manages to keep his business costs low. Because of this, his business isn’t eligible for many grants from state and federal governments.

Beck has been lobbying the government to give more support to businesses that earn less than $75,000 a year and do not qualify to pay GST, which means the business cannot receive grants.

State and Federal Governments announced a jointly funded package for small and medium businesses last week. It included a $2800 grant that will be automatically paid to 90,000 businesses, an allocation of $266 million for businesses that pay GST. A list of other support payments are also available for businesses that pay GST.

Businesses that do not qualify for Victorian Government support programs will be eligible for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment, which is $750 a week for people who have lost most of their work.

The lockdowns also meant a return to online learning, which resulted in camp businesses being left without bookings for another week. When the lockdown was announced last Thursday, Allambee Camp owners Roman and Imelda Cathomen still had a school group staying at their camp. Under the restrictions, the school group was allowed to continue the camp until it ended last Friday.

Ms Cathomen has found the attitude of school principals, teachers, and parents have changed. Last year, many schools cancelled camps and didn’t reschedule. Now, many schools are finding it even more important to give their students time in the outdoors.

“Everyone wants the children to go to camp and they can hardly find places, so we have had increased inquiries now for the rest of the year,” Ms Cathomen said.

While Ms Cathomen said it’s frustrating to miss out on bookings, she said it’s more frustrating not knowing what to plan for.

“All the food orders, the staffing, everything is on hold until you know you can open up,” Ms Cathomen said.