June long weekend green light for Tasmanian shack owners

The mayor of a Tasmanian coastal municipality says there will be mixed feelings about the return of shack owners and visitors as restrictions ease this weekend. Here’s why >>

Ian Cunliffe, owner of Blue Edge Bakery in Bicheno. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

THE eerie quiet of Tasmania’s locked-down coastal towns is about to be shattered as intrastate travel restrictions are lifted in time for the June long weekend.

While some locals have been enjoying the additional isolation, business owners reliant on visitors are keen for a return to normality.

Ian Cunliffe, owner of Bicheno’s Blue Edge Bakery, said he was looking forward to the region reopening to visitors.

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Mr Cunliffe said the bakery remained open throughout the shutdown period.

Like many regional small businesses they modified their operations and opening hours, offering a range of takeaway options to keep customers coming in.

“It’s been fairly different, the locals and tradies have been amazing for us,” Mr Cunliffe said.

Glamorgan Spring Bay Mayor Debbie Wisby said it would be good to welcome shack owners back to the region, where around 50 cent of property owners were non-permanent residents.

The municipality covers major East Coast holiday destinations Orford, Coles Bay, Swansea, Dolphin Sands and Bicheno.

“I would think quite a few shack owners will head here for the weekend … it will be nice to see them again. They are part of the community, more so at certain times of year,” Cr Wisby said.

“I think some business owners will be very pleased but I think some residents may be a bit nervous because we have many older residents.”