Businesses in Central Tilba are reporting drops of more than 30 per cent in their business takings since the most recent COVID-19 lockdowns due to the Delta variant.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The region's tourism numbers have understandably dropped due to lockdowns in both Sydney and Melbourne, and it's leaving the famous Central Tilba village as quiet as many locals have ever seen.
Last month, Cecilia Matthews from Tilba Real Dairy told the Narooma News the famous company had noticed a dropoff in business since Easter.
""After we had that initial lockdown and we reopened, things slowly ramped up," she said.
"People were travelling more in winter, and it kind of snowballed from there.
"We were consistently getting good trade from a lot of people in Canberra and people who would generally go north or overseas for their holidays.
"There was a big percentage of people who had never been to Tilba or hadn't been in a long time.
"It has tapered off a bit since Easter, and it's only really been the last couple of months where COVID-19 has shown us its true form."
Matt O'Neill, owner of Bath Patisserie in Central Tilba, said he would be looking into both JobSaver and other government grants to keep his business ticking over.
"It has become very apparent that our numbers are significantly down," he said.
"We had that burst after the first wave last year where everyone was travelling, but we'd be down more than 30 per cent from the same time two years ago.
"We didn't have a holiday trade (during the most recent school holidays) - two of our major contributors in Sydney and Melbourne haven't been able to visit.
"We get some trade from Canberra, which is very welcome, but without that volume (from Sydney and Melbourne), it's getting difficult to get through."
Mr O'Neill said the most recent lockdowns were just another blow in a tough 18 months.
"We've had an impact with both the bushfires and COVID, and it's a matter of assessing how long you can absorb (the losses)," he said.
"Every owner of a business here will need to take into account how long it will take to recover from this, and whether it's worth the stress.
"I'll be looking at JobSaver and the government grant on offer because this has been a major impact for us."
Mr O'Neill vowed to keep fighting for his business, and called for a fresh focus on tourism once COVID had settled down.
"If the council can induce people to travel to our area, I'd be encouraging that," he said.
"Being in the front of people's minds will work once COVID restrictions are lifted."
One of the owners of Bates Emporium told the Narooma News they had also noticed a big fall in tourism numbers.
"We're in a bit of a different position because we have the general store and the post office, so we're still getting good business from the community," she said.
"We also run a bed and breakfast which has taken a real hit from where people are coming from and who's staying with us.
"The longer this goes on, the more impact it will have on everyone who runs a business here."
The owner said fear of COVID was having just as much an impact as any lockdown.
"There's still a sense that people can't travel here, or are worried about travelling to the coast and potentially getting stuck," she said.
"We have been getting people from the coast and Canberra, but we're certainly not getting the same clientele we were even two months ago.
"People just aren't prepared to travel.
"It's no particular business, every single one of us here on the South Coast depends on tourism, and they're all being impacted by what's going on at the moment.
"It's important to try to focus on the positives at the moment."
Susan Gray, owner of the Dromedary Hotel and president of the Tilba Area Chamber of Commerce, said her pub was actively trying to support local suppliers.
"We're trying really hard to support other people who are having a tough time," she said.
"We've been having live music every Sunday to keep supporting local musicians even though we don't know how those days are going to be.
"We're getting good support from our locals, but it has certainly dropped off."
Ms Gray said she was impressed with how people in Tilba have been willing to cooperate with COVID restrictions.
"Everyone has been listening to staff, wearing their masks, and signing in," she said.
"We've had very few instances of people being rude, which is really good to see.
"It's been tough for our staff with that extra stress and responsibility, but they've embraced it and understand that's just how things are for the moment."
Ms Gray and her husband are currently stuck in lockdown in Sydney, and said they were looking forward to when they can come back to the Coast.
"It's been frustrating that we haven't been able to get to the pub as much as we'd like," she said.
"We're trying to do things remotely and support the staff where we can, but not being in the community has been quite tough.
"We'd like to get back down there, we've got lots of friends in Tilba."
Joel Erickson
Contact me at j.erickson@austcommunity.com.au or 0447 796 748.
Contact me at j.erickson@austcommunity.com.au or 0447 796 748.
