Lakes Entrance and surrounding towns reported good business over the Christmas and New Year period, but traders expressed disappointment at what they
saw as overly generalised statements from the media and government about bushfires in East Gippsland.
Many tourists mistakenly believed East Gippsland was under threat, rather than just the areas where bushfires were active, which are hours away from Lakes Entrance.
Sharen Cameron, who owns clothing and hospitality businesses on Myer Street, said the first two weeks of the holidays were “cracking”, but business quietened quickly afterward.
She added that blanket announcements and media weather forecasts led to a number of cancellations.
“Many people were asking whether it was safe to come down or were watching forecasts and making last-minute decisions,” Sharen said.
“It is vital for businesses in Lakes Entrance to make good money over summer to cover the quieter winter months.”
Ewan Fotheringham, of Big bears Donuts, agreed that public messaging had caused confusion.
“The two weeks over Christmas were good, but there was a mass exodus after that,” he said.
“It was hard to get the message out that we were open for business and that what was happening in Dargo had no impact here.
“Overall, the holiday period was as good as we could have hoped for with the current economy.
Families were being careful with their spending.”
The Servo was a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, enjoying a very successful New Year’s Eve.
“Weather did play a part, particularly on Boxing Day,” manager Bob Morrison said.
“Summer hasn’t really kicked in with only a few hot days, but overall we had no real dramas.”
Kelli Cake reported a steady period but felt the impact of holidaymakers leaving early.
“It was nice to see new faces in town, but I’m now looking forward to welcoming back all my local customers who love the place,” Kelli said.
Across the street, Shane Kidd at Purpose on the Hub enjoyed a busy season with happy customers.
“We had the normal drop-off. I do think the media should be more responsible with their reporting — city people are frightened to come to the country, and country people too scared to go to the city because of it,” he said.
Sandbar Surf manager Courtney Bollemen described a very busy period, with strong foot traffic and excellent sales.
Greg Jerkins from Footbridge Mini Golf reported a season similar to last year, with plant sales up and the shop performing well.
Dale Reynolds at Chocky Sweet Box said the shop enjoyed a tremendous summer.
“We stayed open to cater for all the visitors who see the shop as a must-visit destination in Lakes,” he said.
“This good season will help our business expand. In eighty days, our licorice and honeycomb chocolate coater with viewing deck will be installed, which is exciting. Our Easter Eggs are now ready, and we are the only gluten-free Licorice Allsorts manufacturer in Australia.”
The Central Hotel had a fantastic season, according to owner, Tyson Murphy.
“There was maybe a bit of a changing of the guard with the bushfires and weather initially, but overall it’s been very consistent right up until school went back. We saw much larger numbers of young people, all great and well behaved.”
Jenny Smith, relief manager at Koonwarra Park, also reported a strong holiday period.
“We did have some cancellations due to bushfire fears, but we also picked up visitors evacuating from further up the coast.
All in all, it was very good,” she said.
The Kalimna Hotel also saw numbers well up over the Christmas and New Year period, with a slight dip during the start of the bushfires.
“For the whole holiday period, numbers were definitely up,” manager Shaun Massie said.
“We are looking forward to another year of live music, including our upcoming music festival. On Sunday, March 1, we will present Grassroots on the Hill with a strong line-up of musicians playing all afternoon.”
Overall, Lakes Entrance put on another stellar summer of trade, tourism, and entertainment for visitors to the town, despite early confusion over bushfire reporting.
