REVEALED: Survey shows almost every business on the border impacted by Covid lockdown restrictions

New data shows nearly every retailer and tourism operator in a Gold Coast suburb have been financially impacted by the border lockdown leading to them calling it “a state of emergency”. READ THE FULL IMPACT >>>

COOLANGATTA businesses are calling it “a state of emergency” as new data shows 97 per cent of retailers and tourism operators have been financially impacted by the border lockdown.

For the first time, chamber and business surveying shared with the Bulletin reveals the real economic pain of the border restrictions as NSW braces itself for the regional lockdown to continue until September 10.

Queensland border in Coolangatta. Closed shops and quiet streets in Coolangatta. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Early feedback from surveying by the Southern Chamber of Commerce has revealed:

* 97 per cent of businesses say they have had “some impact” from Covid closures;

* 66 per cent have said they had been “greatly impacted”, 16 per cent “a lot” and only 15 per cent experienced a “moderate impact”.

Closed shops and quiet streets in Coolangatta. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT.

* most businesses say it is “very unlikely” they can keep trading if restrictions remain in place, as predicted until at least November and possibly Christmas-New Year.

* more than 23 per cent of businesses estimated an impact on trade of between 10 and 30 per cent, and about 15 per cent say the downturn for them was between 30 and 40 per cent.

* almost 20 per cent of employers said they were impacted because customers could not attend their businesses.

Southern Chamber of Commerce president Hilary Jacobs said the survey was aimed to get hard data which would be presented to the Queensland and NSW governments so funding could be provided.

Queensland border in Coolangatta. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT.

“We’re trying to get NSW and Queensland Government support. It will need a cross-border solution,” Ms Jacobs told the Bulletin.

A report by business operators Sam Beau Patrick and Steve Edgar shown in a private function with 120 Coolangatta struggling businesses showed revenue trade for restaurants in 2021 compared to 2020 on the Coolangatta strip was down between 30 and 50 per cent.

Sam Beau Patrick — creating a video to boost tourism to Coolangatta.

Worse still, was the impact on surf clubs, with trade down between 60 and 70 per cent.

Operators reported between 20 per cent to 45 per cent of staffers were “trapped in NSW”.

Accommodation at key apartment towers was down around 50 per cent. Some were reporting no “new arrivals” in August.

“The border closure has resulted in extreme pain. People are at breaking point. There is depression and a lack of hope amongst the business community,” the report said.

“Coolangatta is in dire trouble. This is a state of emergency.”

The business operators have created a video promotion which they hope governments and council will back to get tourists to return to Coolangatta.

Comments from the Chamber survey

Construction company in Tweed Heads:

“We are unable to access construction sites. My business will be negatively impacted by over 80 per cent.”

Local club in Coolangatta:

“We have 30 per cent of staff our locked in NSW including key personnel. The mental health fallout from this will be immense.”

A Gold Coast cleaning company:

“I can’t get to my customers. My business has been negatively impacted by — between 70 and 80 per cent — by cancellations times lost travelling from State to State and anxiety of not having clear information on if we can work or not as I thought our cleaning business was essential.”

Another Coolangatta club:

“We had really started coming good in June. The hard borders and these excessive restrictions are now having a huge impact on the club. My business will be negatively impacted by over 80 per cent. It is somewhat unlikely we will continue trading.”

Gold Coast business with owner living in NSW:

“One hundred per cent of my business is over the border. I live in NSW and have spent years building a business on the Gold Coast. I’ve spent the last 17 years working towards having my own studio. Now I can’t access my clients or any of my equipment because we were given two hours notice that the need to feed our children is no longer considered essential.”

Palm Beach business:

“My business has been negatively impacted by over 80 per cent. Much of our work is from Sydney and Melbourne. This has now ceased.”

Originally published as REVEALED: Survey shows almost every business on the border impacted by Covid lockdown restrictions