Businesses in Bellingen and Dorrigo have been abandoned by the Minns Labor Government after it announced direct financial support for businesses impacted by the Great Western Highway closure, while continuing to ignore communities devastated by the prolonged closure of Waterfall Way.
Waterfall Way was closed for 61 days between January 19 and March 21 this year and has now been shut for a total of 140 days over the past five years due to repeated natural disasters and major road damage.
Despite the Great Western Highway closure lasting a similar amount of time, businesses in the Labor-held seat impacted by that closure will now receive grants of $10,000, while businesses in Bellingen and Dorrigo receive nothing.
Figures from a Bellingen Shire Council business impact survey estimated more than $10.1 million in economic losses during the nine-week Waterfall Way closure.
The survey also found:
• More than 71 per cent of businesses reported reduced revenue
• 72 per cent experienced cancelled or delayed work
• Additional freight costs reached an estimated $199,300 per week
Bellingen Shire Council Mayor Steve Allan said local businesses were still suffering months after the road reopened.
“Our towns rely heavily on tourism and visitor spending, and closures like this don’t just impact businesses during the event itself, they continue hurting communities long after the road reopens,” Mayor Allan said.
“Businesses have spent months trying to convince visitors that Bellingen and Dorrigo are open again, but some operators are already at breaking point and others are considering closing their doors altogether.”
Dorrigo Chamber of Commerce President Ben Garnock said businesses had been fighting for support for months.
“Many small businesses experienced major losses and are now struggling to recover. To now see another region receive direct financial assistance while Dorrigo businesses receive nothing is incredibly disappointing,” Mr Garnock said.
Bellingen Chamber of Commerce President Frank Perez said repeated closures were threatening the long-term future of businesses in the region.
“It is inevitable that Waterfall Way will close again. Either the Government fixes the road permanently or delivers a business support package, because businesses cannot keep absorbing these losses every few years,” Mr Perez said.
Nationals Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp, said the decision shows Labor is only interested in regional communities when there are votes on the line.
“When businesses in Labor-held seats are impacted, the government rolls out the chequebook. When regional communities like Bellingen and Dorrigo are smashed by road closures, Labor turns its back and tells them to suffer through it alone,” Member for Oxley Michael Kemp said.
“Bellingen and Dorrigo deserve better than a government that picks winners and losers based on seats they will win.”
