‘The longer they’re closed, they’re sustaining losses’: Darwin's bumper Dry derailed by Covid-19 lockdown

After months of booming interstate visitor numbers and a surging property market, tourism, hospitality and construction face a difficult week in lockdown.

BOOMING industries have had their bumper Dry thwarted by Darwin’s lockdown, with many businesses closing their doors and considering standing down staff.

Tourism, hospitality and construction had all been riding high on interstate travel and a surge in the property market.

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But the snap lockdown of the Top End has thrown this into chaos, with the tourism sector alone potentially losing out at least $5m a day.

Construction workers have meanwhile been told they’re no longer essential workers, despite being allowed on site during the Territory’s first lockdown in March last year.

Master Builders chief executive David Malone said around 8000 construction workers around Greater Darwin had been impacted.

The Buff Club has been named as a high risk exposure site. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“The truth of the matter is that a lot of employers will have no choice but to stand their employees down,” Mr Malone said.

“They just won’t have the ability to carry their workers without any work.”

Mr Malone praised the lockdown as necessary but said affected families would feel the financial pinch quickly.

“There’s real families that will have no income. They’re like every other family in the Territory in that they have obligations.”

The NT government on Sunday launched payments of $1000 to businesses with fewer than 20 full-time equivalent staff and with an annual turnover less than $10m.

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce however said his organisation was concerned the staffing limit would leave some deserving businesses high-and-dry.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner announces an extension to the Top Ends lockdown after several new contact sites. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“Pubs hover around 18 to 25 FTE,” Mr Bruce said.

“The longer they’re closed, they’re sustaining losses. We are making representations to the government that the 20 FTE be looked at.”

Mr Bruce however said the bumper Dry had given many businesses more confidence entering this lockdown than in March 2020.

“At this stage, we’re not calling last drinks.”

Chamber of Commerce NT chief executive Greg Ireland said that while lockdowns hurt business, the health priorities needed to take precedence.

“It’s particularly important from a health perspective that these potential close contact locations are fully investigated and managed.”

Mr Ireland said tourism, alone generated $5m a day in June 2019.