Dover bakery owner Janine Bastick over the uncertainty as fire road closures take bite out of business

The southern seaside town of Dover hasn’t been directly hit by the mammoth fire burning north-west of the area, but its local businesses have copped a big hit.

THE southern seaside town of Dover hasn’t been directly hit by the mammoth fire burning north-west of the area, but its local businesses have copped a big hit.

As a visitor travelling through the town on Monday, the terror of the nearby fire could almost be forgotten as clear skies hung over the region — a stark contrast to the smoke-shrouded streets of Geeveston further north.

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Janine Bastick and Ellie Edge at Eleanor's Bakhouse in Dover. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

But below the blue sky, there’s a darker story playing out which has left local businesses concerned about their short-term sustainability.

Since the Riveaux Rd fire broke out on January 16, some residents have chosen to leave the town while road blocks have prevented others from entering.

It’s forced some local businesses to close, while shop owners have reported a huge drop in profits during the past fortnight.

Dover business Post Office 6985 closed due to bushfire threat near the town (Dover is ok... owners may live in a high risk area). Bushfires (Bush Fires) February 2019 Tasmania. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Janine Bastick, owner of Eleanor’s Bakehouse in Dover, said her clientele had heavily decreased.

“Usually our daily takings are about $1000 but over the past couple weeks they’ve been about $200,” she said.

“There’s just nobody around.

“It seems like service trucks aren’t coming here either and it’s really hurting.

“The town’s not going to function without people, so we really hope that the fires can lessen and roadblocks stop getting set up.”

Bakery assistant Ellie Edge, 17, who attends Hobart College, said she feared she might not be able to return home to Dover after school because of the on-and-off road restrictions.

Up the street from Mrs Bastick’s bakery, signwriting in the town’s local pizza shop said the store was closed indefinitely because of the bushfire threat.