Mildura economy after COVID-19 lockdown: Hope for bumper Easter, more flights

Mildura leaders have opened up about how the city intends to recover from the latest Victorian lockdown, which has caused further economic setback to the region.

Mildura leaders are hopeful economic activity can be ramped up in the coming months after the setback of another lockdown.

Encouraging residents to take a Valentine’s Day “re-do” to support retail and restaurant businesses was among the first steps touted.

Mildura Regional Development chief executive Brett Millington said a push would be made to give the city “a bit of love” next week.

He said taking someone out to dinner or buying a gift would be suggested.

Mildura is 550km from Melbourne and Mr Millington said it was difficult being such a distance away geographically, with natural isolation, but to still be on the same rules.

“There was a lot of anger, particularly on Friday (February 12) when it was announced,” he said.

Some concern had been raised about Rex flights using Melbourne Airport’s Terminal 4, which was an exposure site last Tuesday.

However, there were no Rex flights to Mildura on that day.

Sunraysia’s tourism sector, on the back of a series of border closures, was again impacted by the lockdown.

Mr Millington said many motels saw bookings suddenly cancelled.

He hoped for a return of certainty over the next month or so, with the region’s busy Easter period looming.

Mr Millington said motorsport events for that weekend were expected to go ahead, with the exception, at this stage, of the Mildura 100 ski race.

“Everything that will be occurring will be occurring differently,” he said.

The number of flights to Mildura Airport decreased during lockdown, but there are hopes for an increase in services soon. Picture: Glenn Milne

It has been more than 300 days since the last local coronavirus case attributed to the Mildura municipality.

Mildura Mayor Jason Modica said the lockdown had not only caused a financial hit but an emotional one. He advocated for a traffic light system for future outbreaks.

“We want to be respected for the fact we are 550km away and we don’t have a case, but if there is a case, we would adhere to all those restrictions,” he said.

Cr Modica said people were supporting local traders in the days after lockdown.

The council were still accepting applications for its $800,000 business support program, which includes one-off rates credits and $5000 grants.

Mildura Airport chief executive Trevor Willcock said Qantas dropped about half its flights to Victoria’s second busiest passenger airport during the lockdown.

Schedules had since returned to where they were previously.

Rex were set to relaunch flights between Mildura and Broken Hill in two weeks’ time.

Mr Willcock said the current schedule for all airlines operating out of Mildura Airportrepresents about 35 per cent of pre-COVID levels.

He said demand had been “pretty encouraging”, with airlines forecasting a rise to 60 per cent from April.

Mr Willcock also said Virgin Australia, which dropped its Melbourne-Mildura route last year, would be considering a comeback.

“Virgin are still interested in looking at the route but that will only be when COVID is completely settled,” he said.

“But they have indicated they are interested in reopening the route.”

Discussions with another airline about starting Mildura-Brisbane flights were in a similar position, with the airline waiting for the pandemic’s impact to subside.