Covid-19 Cairns: Chamber of Commerce boss concerned for retail, small business

An influential business leader has warned it’s not just the tourism sector suffering as the Far North rides out devastating nationwide lockdowns that have brought the region to a standstill.

AN INFLUENTIAL Cairns business leader has warned it’s not just the tourism sector suffering as the Far North rides out devastating nationwide lockdowns that have brought the region to a standstill.

It comes as applications for the $600m support package open today for hamstrung businesses; the same day Darwin and Katherine announced a snap three-day lockdown to add to an alarming list of cities shut off from Cairns.

It follows the statewide lockdown in New South Wales, Melbourne’s extended lockdown until September 2 and the restrictions imposed in Canberra.

Manager of Grill'd Cairns Jessica Bagley disinfects tables, chairs and menus before the Esplanade restaurant reopened to dine in customers last week. Foot traffic along the esplanade has come to a standstill. Picture: Brendan Radke

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Ominously, it means Tasmania and regional Victoria remain the only interstate markets open to Far North Queensland.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Patricia O’Neill welcomed the government assistance – in particular the extra support it offered to sole traders –

saying the pandemic was crippling all small business and retailers cut off from their normal supply chains.

“You only need to look at the pedestrian traffic in Cairns, the tills are not ringing the way they should be ringing,” Ms O’Neill said.

“I think being locked out is almost as bad as being locked down, to be honest.

“So it was pleasing to see the $600m package address all businesses, because it’s not just the tourism industry that is suffering, it’s all businesses.”

Ozmosis owner Lauren Vico and staff member Rennae Roy have taken to wearing colourful and sequined masks to brighten up their customer's days. Picture: Brendan Radke

The chamber is part of a conglomerate of Cairns and Far North bodies who have been lobbying hard for wage support on the back of the travel bans caused by the Delta outbreaks.

Cairns Airport boss Richard Barker said they had just 22 per cent of passengers through the airport last week compared to same time in 2019.

“Victoria, NSW and South East Queensland each represent around 25 per cent of passengers into Cairns,” he said.

“While the reopening of southeast Queensland was a welcome boost last week, consumer confidence remains fairly low.

“The addition of Canberra to the lockdown that now includes all of New South Wales and parts of the Northern Territory, effectively means Tasmania and regional Victoria are the only markets open to interstate visitors.”

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Ms O’Neill called the support “a step in the right direction” but believes a JobSaver style program being used in NSW might still be required.

“I think we still need to look at that type of arrangement that keeps the connection between the employer and employee strong,” she said.

“The fear is if we lose connection to our staff, then the journey out of this mess is going to be an uphill battle.”

Mr Barker agreed, saying without direct wage support “businesses will go broke.”

“They simply cannot afford to pay their staff when they have no income and no more savings to draw on,” he said.

Originally published as Covid-19 Cairns: Chamber of Commerce boss concerned for retail, small business