Tasmanian bushfires: Grants not enough say blaze-hit businesses

UPDATED: Fire-hit communities across the state are returning home this weekend and there’s a clear message for their city cousins — come and visit.

UPDATED: Fire-hit communities across the state are returning home this weekend and there’s a clear message for their city cousins — come and visit.

Huon Valley Mayor Bec Enders said she plans to do everything she can to help the businesses recover.

“In the coming weeks I’ll be working with the businesses in the Huon Valley as well as community groups to represent them and be the voice for them for funding and for looking at opportunities so we can recover economically,” she said.

“We want to be encouraging people to return to the Huon Valley and have a holiday, and for locals to support locals.

“To buy local will be so very important.”

Owner of Geeveston business Baker & Co Providore and Patisserie Fiona McAlpine said her bakery had reopened and she was looking forward to people returning to the Huon Valley.

Fiona McAlpine, owner of Baker and Co cafe. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

“We would really love to see more people back in town because our tourist numbers have declined rapidly and it seems that people who would’ve been visiting the area have made alternate plans and we’re losing out,” Ms McAlpine said.

“We hope people come down and see all that we have to offer not only at Baker and Co but within the town in general.

“We’ve taken a massive hit and as we’ve only been operating for three months so our business is very much on a knife’s edge. And I think a lot of other Geeveston business owners are feeling the same.

“A lot of people know me for my patisserie and delicious cakes and tarts. I want the community to know that just because we’re a little quiet that it doesn’t mean our high-striving standard will be restricted.”

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Ms McAlpine said she was grateful for the help the Government had offered, but she said that much more was needed.

She said her business, which relies heavily on peak-season trading had lost two-weeks worth of trade since the fires started.

“It’s like putting half a bandaid on a gaping wound,” she said.

“We need to get some real support from the Government.

“We’re not out of the woods yet.”

Premier Will Hodgman said the Government had responded swiftly by establishing a range of supports available, including income support and transport subsidies.

“As we shift into the recovery phase of the fires, one of the best support Tasmanians can provide is by spending money in local communities, stopping by the local shops, cafes and using locally based contractors.

Joanna Jablonka, co-owner of Kermandie Hotel. The business stayed open and helped out people in need. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

“The Tasmanian Government, through Tourism Tasmania, has been working with major partners including airlines, tour operators, the cruise industry and Tourism Australia to ensure visitors know that the current fire situation does not apply to the whole of the State.”

Mr Hodgman said all the main domestic airlines had confirmed that their forward bookings had not been impacted from the bushfire situation.

“What this shows is that people are still coming to Tasmania and the focus needs to be on encouraging them to visit effected areas, and encouraging Tasmanians to also get out and support these communities.”

Huon Valley Mayor Bec Enders (right) speaks to media about the Tasmanian bushfires with Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman in Huonville. Picture: AAP/Rob Blakers

Ms Enders said that businesses in Geeveston and elsewhere in the Huon Valley have had to close their doors to the public in recent weeks, which has generated a huge loss of revenue.

“When businesses rely on peak season to get through their winters it can have a devastating effect,” she said.

“They’re not all corporate businesses that can handle that sort of loss of revenue.”

Waterfalls Cafe in Mt Field closed for 10 days from January 25 due to threat from Gell River fire burning nearby.

Cafe owner Rachel Power, said her January trade was down about 50% on this time last year but said business was slowly returning to normal.

“The days have been picking up a bit since reopening but we’re definitely still feeling the effects,” she said.

“We hope people realise that everything’s open for business. I think there’s no better time than now for people to visit this part of the Derwent Valley.”

Further information on the grants can be found at HERE

Roads reopen but risks remain

Fire crews have capitalised on favourable weather conditions across the state to make headway on several fires.

Tanker-based crews attacked edges of the Gell River Fire, while some back-burning was successfully conducted on the northern edge of the Riveaux Rd fire near Denison Rd.

Tasmania Fire Service station officer Darren Gye said back-burning in some parts was too difficult on Friday because of damp conditions, and would be undertaken this weekend if the conditions allowed.

Mr Gye said remote area teams continued fire containment on the northern parts of the Great Pine Tier fire.

The Huon Highway south of Huonville reopened to all travellers on Friday after being declared safe.

Restrictions have been lifted on Glen Huon Rd, but several smaller roads leading to burnt areas remain closed.

Tasmania Police warned further road closures might occur, with the bushfire threat not yet over.

Temporary speed limit changes were likely to remain in place in some areas.

“We cannot say that any road is 100 per cent safe, even when these roads have been opened to the general public,” regional controller Tony Cerritelli said. Potential safety risks include fire, electrical or infrastructure damage, trees with potential to fall, burnt and partially burnt trees and obstructions, or dangerous conditions from smoke, debris or escaped animals.

Police reopened the Highland Lakes Rd on the Central Plateau on Friday after it was closed because of bushfires.

The key north-south link through the Central Plateau, which was in the path of the Great Pine Tier fire, has been declared safe by police. However, police advised motorists to remain vigilant and mindful of temporary speed limit changes because of emergency services activity.