Mogo recovery draws controversy ahead of crucial Gilmore by-election

South coast MP Fiona Phillips is calling on the government to fast-track aid to embattled businesses in Mogo, with owners feeling abandoned after the recent flooding.

Mogo’s recovery has become the subject of political point scoring ahead of the Gilmore by-election, with business leaders complaining of a lack of support.

When floods tore through Mogo last month, business-owner Richard Adams stood to lose tens of thousands of dollars in damages.

The Hidden Treasures owner and Mogo Village Business Chamber president said the floods failed to enter his Annett St shop, but did destroy expensive air-conditioners.

“They’re not covered by insurance, and they’re $10,000 straight up,” he said.

“It’s just one thing after another.”

Like many Mogo businesses, Mr Adams was also hit hard by the Black Summer fires.

When the “once-in-a-hundred-year” fires tore through Mogo, Mr Adams said he lost hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stock.

In the wake of the devastation, Mr Adams said the community banded together to help stores reopen, before being forced to do the same when floods destroyed homes and businesses in March 2021, and again in December.

Senator Murray Watt, business owner Richard Adams and Gilmore federal Labor MP Fiona Phillips, right, with Mogo Village Business Chamber in happier times.

While Mr Adams believes the community spirit is still alive, the damage has taken a mental toll on business owners, who he said have not been supported by the government.

“They’re dealing with so much stress,” Mr Adams said.

“It took me a few days to get rid of the bulk of the rubbish, and it was great that the community and volunteers came to help, but there was no support.”

According to Service NSW, businesses in Mogo are eligible for the Flood Disaster Recovery Small Business Grant but many owners say they can’t access the forms because they are listed as “closed” on the website..

Mr Adams said few businesses know about the program or how to access it.

Fewer still have access to it, according to the Gilmore federal Labor MP Fiona Phillips.

Ms Phillips has called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to urgently work with the State Government to open up grants to businesses impacted by the recent floods.

“The Mogo community has been through the most horrific and tumultuous time over recent years,” Ms Phillips said.

“Bushfires that decimated many local businesses; floods, the pandemic and another severe flood have really taken their toll.

“It’s difficult to comprehend what business owners, workers and the community have been through – it has literally been the roughest time ever.”

Former Bega state Liberal MP Andrew Constance joined the debate saying in a statement on Facebook that there had been information in the community that flood support wasn’t available for Mogo business.

Mogo leather shop owner Gaspar stands amongst the remains of his recently burnt out shop now submerged in flood waters from torrential rains. Picture: Jane Dempster/The Australian.

“I have been in contact with the Premier (Dominic Perrottet) and Fiona Kotvojs (Bega state Liberal MP (and) a statement will be issued by the Minister to confirm that support will be forthcoming to those impacted by the recent flood event,” the former Transport Minister said.

“I’m advised that Service NSW will be updating their information so that people can gain access.

“If people are having an issue please ring the Bega electorate office.”

Mr Constance is set to compete with Ms Phillips at the Gilmore by-election later this year, after quitting state politics in December.

For its part, Resilience NSW, a government organisation involved with clean-up efforts in Mogo, said funds were still available to Mogo businesses affected by the December floods.

Emergency Services and Resilience Minisrer Steph Cooke urged residents to instead call Service NSW on 13 77 88 to register for assistance.

“Resilience NSW has provided on the ground support, speaking to businesses impacted and assessing damage to progress Natural Disaster Declarations,” she said.

“Resilience NSW has also worked with the Eurobodalla Shire Council’s Recovery Support Services team and the local community in Mogo to identify what post recovery support is required.

“Rest assured, the NSW Government will continue to support communities post natural disasters, including the community of Mogo who have been hit hard in the past by bushfires and floods.”

For business owners like Mr Adams, recovery remains a formidable task, and a lot, he said, remains undone even after the 2019 bushfires.

“There’s no plan put in place down here, even after the bushfires,” he said.

“This is the community again stepping up, doing all the work hoping something might come later.

“We really need to get a disaster plan in place.”

A boom in tourists due to relatively free travel over Christmas has helped many businesses recuperate lost revenue because of the floods, Mr Adams said, but it also brought new risks.

“It’s a bit difficult for a lot of businesses over this period with Covid,” he said.

“We have a lot of tourists, which is great. But, at the same time, the virus is fairly rampant.

“With small businesses, if someone is in there with Covid, they have to shut the whole business.”