Warrnambool real estate targeted in ‘vaccinated economy’ trial

A Warrnambool real estate agent has already fielded calls from unvaccinated “haters” as a result of being included in the Covid “vaccinated economy” trial.

Warnambool Art Gallery director Vanessa Gerrans says she has welcomed new visitors since the vaccinated economy trial started. Picture: Nicole Cleary

A Warrnambool real estate agent has already fielded calls from unvaccianted “haters” as a result of being included in the Covid ‘vaccinated economy’ trial.

Roberts One Real Estate is one of 14 businesses and events from six regional Victorian local government areas chosen to participate in the two-week trial starting on Monday.

It will allow the agency to have 30 fully vaccinated people attend open houses, rental inspections and indoor auctions.

As a compromise to anti-vaxxers, Roberts One owner Daniel Roberts said he had negotiated with the Victorian Government to ensure unvaccinated people were able to attend private inspections during the trial period.

“We can’t not have unvaccinated people go through properties,” he said.

“We might have people who basically need housing and the government has agreed with me that not everyone is going to get vaccinated.”

Mr Roberts has received numerous phone calls from people upset his agency was part of the trial and he was expecting more backlash.

Daniel Roberts from Warrnambool’s Roberts One Real Estate which is part of the vaccinated economy regional trial.

“With the amount of phone calls I’ve had already I’d say it’s certainly on the cards,” he said of the backlash.

“There’s plenty of haters out there — but haters who have just read the one line and not looked into it deeper.

“But by seeing that they can go through a property — because a lot of unvaccinated people think they won’t be able to go through a property full stop — obviously it’s an assumption everyone has made

“We’ve been able to work with the government to make sure that change has gone through.”

Mr Roberts said his agency did not apply for the trial but was happy to be involved to “make a difference”.

“We don’t want to get into a situation where we were 4-5 weeks ago where we couldn’t take a single person through a property,” he said.

“We want to move forward and not close again, so being a part of this trial and making sure the technology works is important.”

Roberts One Real Estate, Darlings of Beauty salon, the Warrnambool Art Gallery and Thursday’s Warrnambool Racing Club meeting are the four south-west businesses and events included in the trial.

Warrnambool mayor Vicki Jellie welcomed the move, saying the increased capacity for the gallery was a positive step.

“The increase in the visitor cap from 10 to 30 per space suddenly opens up many possibilities including educational tours, small bus tours, seniors groups and so on,” she said.

“It’s an important step and if the trial is successful, which we expect it will be, then other businesses and facilities can also move towards these settings later this month.”

Gallery director Vanessa Gerrans said she was excited the WAG was given an opportunity to operate under eased restrictions for the trial.

“The WAG is a culturally safe space and galleries generally play an important role in the health and wellbeing of a community,” she said.

Ms Gerrans said the first morning of the trial had been encouraging, with no backlash from unvaccinated people wanting to attend the gallery.

“We’ve had new visitors — I think people are intrigued and are having a go to make sure the systems work,” she said.

Warnambool Art Gallery director Vanessa Gerrans has welcomed the new vaccinated trial. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Jenna Gore and Tricia Howden from Darlings of Beauty said three people were turned away in the early stages of the trial on Monday. Picture- Nicole Cleary

Darlings of Beauty co-owner Trish Howden said there had been some negative feedback on the business’s social media after it was announced as a site, while three people were turned away in the early stages of the trial on Monday.

“Overall the feedback has been really positive,” she said.

Avoca Hotel publican Ian Urquhart said the trial was an important step in getting Victoria open again.

“Our phone has certainly been running hot, our first night back is on Thursday and is already booked out with the weekend filling up fast,” he said on Monday.

“It’s been really tough only being able to cater for 10 people at a time and we can’t wait to start expanding our menu as we cater for more people.

“Our staff are excited, we have been able to our staff back on, including our head bar man who can’t wait to get back to work.

“We actually need more staff; our kitchen is actually really shorthanded at the moment and we are on the lookout for more staff.”