Even amphibious operators struggling to stay afloat

Gold Coast business owners are in a world of financial pain and they say the Queensland border closure is to blame.

Gold Coast Aquaduck captain Peter McCulkin with deck hand Ayla Notton, 24, and supervisor Jess Price, 28. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Sarah Colgate has already seen one of her businesses fail as a ­result of COVID-19 and the Queensland border closure, and she now fears her Gold Coast ­operation could go the same way.

The owner of Aquaduck ­amphibious tours said that prior to the pandemic, the business had ­recorded 32 per cent growth in ­patronage since July 2018.

“Now we’re 74 per cent down. We have gone from 70 tours a week to 14, and are only open three days a week,” she said.

“Interstate visitors from northern NSW, Newcastle, the mid-north coast — they were the majority of our market and they can no longer get to the Gold Coast.

“I don’t believe the borders should be closed at all. We’re one country and we’re getting to the point where we’re damaging tourism in Australia more broadly.”

As well as closing the company’s Airlie Beach operation, Ms Colgate said her staff had gone from 26 to 11, all of whom were on JobKeeper.

“That includes my husband and me,” she said. “Our biggest fear is that this Premier (Annastacia Palaszczuk) will be re-elected and she’ll see that as a mandate to keep the borders closed.

“It’s literally devastating, not only to us but the thousands of ­microbusinesses, the mum and dad operations who’ve had to abandon their business.”

Economic modelling by Destination Gold Coast estimates that in 2020, COVID-19 will cost the region between $3.3bn and $4.3bn, with the potential loss of six million to nine million visitors.

Peter Long, general manager of charter flight operator Air Gold Coast, said there was no doubt border closures were the biggest challenge for his business and a host of others.

“In Queensland there’s a bit of intrastate flying and it’s the same in NSW, but people need to be able to fly interstate for a whole host of reasons,” Mr Long said.

“That’s our greatest challenge. It’s terrible for the Gold Coast.”