We’re open for business, Huon Valley tells Tasmania as bushfire crisis passes

The Huon Valley is open for business again — that’s the message local operators want the rest of Tasmania to hear.

Business owner Naomie Clark-Port with colleague Trina Mangles in front of Frank's Cider in Franklin. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

THE Huon Valley is open for business again — that’s the message local operators want the rest of Tasmania to hear.

It’s been a tough few weeks for the region’s economy after a massive bushfire forced the evacuation of thousands of residents and stopped tourists from entering the area during the peak season.

“We need everybody to know it’s all back to normal and we’re up and running again,” Frank’s Cider owner Naomie Clark-Port said.

“It’s about getting the word out there that we’re open again. All the businesses are still here and we can still make coffee and cider.”

The Franklin bar and cafe reopened on Saturday after being closed for two weeks because of the fire.

They held a fundraiser for the local fire brigade yesterday to say thank you for their efforts in protecting the town.

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Ms Clark-Port said the blaze closed down the entire valley. “The valley was full of smoke and nobody was really moving around very much,” she said.

“The road was closed and only residents were allowed through. Sometimes even we weren’t allowed through. It was impossible to have the store open because our staff couldn’t get through either.”

Ms Clark-Port said she and her husband Tony spent a lot of time travelling back and forwards to check if their heritage building was still standing.

They are now back open seven days a week and urge everyone to turn up and spend a bit of money in the area.

Esther Shilling from Willie Smith’s Apple Shed, left, with Huon Producers Network president Jono Linn. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Willie Smith’s Apple Shed will also host the Huon Valley Strong Market next Saturday to aid the recovery of local farmers, artisans and producers.

Huon Producers’ Network president Jono Linn said it would be a sign of community strength and solidarity.

“The best way to support us is to come and spend the money down here,” he said. “That’s also for everyone living in the area. Actually go to the local cafes and restaurants, come to the markets and show your support that way.”

He said they ran a small market every week, but next weekend was a special event. “A lot of people have been affected by the fires, they’ve been unable to get out and tender crops and look after livestock, so they’ve lost weeks of productivity and weeks of trade,” Mr Linn said. “People have been defending their houses as a first priority above their income.

“We certainly noticed with a week off that we had a lot of produce sitting around that we were unable to shift.”

Willie Smith’s venue manager Kate Marsden said they just wanted to do something for the valley.

“It’s a mini-showcase and, if anything, if it brings the community together to see each other then I think we’ve achieved something,” she said.

“If it brings people from outside the valley, that would be amazing.”