Xmas party breakups cancelled due to Gippsland floods

Businesses in the state’s east are already feeling the effects of the flooding with people cancelling work Christmas parties, with traders saying they were remaining open.

Businesses in flood-affected parts of the state are losing trade with Christmas breakups and work party bookings being scrapped by nervous locals.

Tinamba Hotel owner Simon Johnson said a work break-up party booked for Saturday had been cancelled, while Alastair Butt, from Maffra West’s Blue Gables Vineyard said several booking for Friday and Saturday had been cancelled.

The Tinamba Hotel has had bookings cancelled over fears of flooding in the area. Ben Swinnerton

Tinamba Hotel owner Simon Johnson said the pub was still open for business and have no intention to close their doors. Picture: Jack Colantuono

“It’s been raining since Tuesday night non-stop and it’s forecast to keep raining though until Saturday afternoon so it’s definitely impacting trade this weekend,” he said.

Mr Johnson said sandbags were already stacked at the community hall in case water broke containment lines.

“They’re still there from last time and we’re staying close with our flood waters and watching the Southern Rural Water advices and most importantly our local CFA captain who does a great job pulling the town together,” he said.

Mr Johnson said those cancelling their parties were blaming the unpredictable weather.

“Which is a big impact because this is our peak time – when we have cancellations because of that it does not help at all,” he said.

“Our busiest time is normally December but we’ve already seen groups of 10 and 12 cancel because people don’t want to get their staff together while there’s potentially dangerous conditions driving to and from the area.”

Flooding at Rainbow Creek on Rices Lane, between Cowwarr and Heyfield. Picture: Jack Colantuono

Mr Johnson said he had a group of 12 cancel for Friday night.

“But at least they’ve offered to buy vouchers for all their staff to do it at another time so that still helps us out — it might not be now but it might be when they come in the New Year,” he said.

Mr Johnson said to get to Melbourne he had to travel the long way via Sale due to the road closures.

“The roads to Rosedale and Traralgon are isolated at the moment because of the Thompson River flooding,” he said.

“The concern is a lot of catchment for our people come from the Traralgon and Rosedale areas – are they prepared to drive to Sale to get to us for their special occasion?

Mr Johnson said he wanted to remind people that businesses in the area remained open and were not at immediate risk of being flooded.

“The problem we found with the floods six or seven weeks ago is that we had people cancelling their events even though within 24 hours the roads were OK.

Flooding at the La Trobe River just outside of Rosedale. Picture: Jack Colantuono

“We need people to know we’re open and now that we’ve got everything under control and working closely with the authorities — the community will be together,” he said.

“The reality is what we’re looking at right now is we won’t need to be sandbagging at this stage.”

Mr Butt said the Blue Gables Vineyard will still remain open this weekend.

“We’ve only had a few cancellations, we’re just a little bit fearful we might get some more because of a few roads being blocked,” he said.

“There are certain ways that you can come definitely — so our business is accessible, we just need people to give us a call and we can navigate them through the best way to get to Blue Gables — because some of the regular routes are actually closed due to water over the road.

“We would like to stay positive and it’s business as usual — we just encourage people to contact us to make a booking and we can tell them it’s still accessible.”