Council appreciates the significant impact that the tragic Porepunkah Shooting Incident is having on the community. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the victims of this shooting.

We recognise that many businesses are experiencing difficulties and uncertainty while people are being discouraged from travelling through or visiting the area, to enable emergency services to undertake essential operations. We hope that this incident is resolved soon.

As part of the response and recovery, Alpine Shire Council will advocate to the Australian and Victorian governments to provide short- and long-term support to businesses.

In the immediate term, Council and the three chambers of commerce are advocating for government provision of:

- immediate financial support for businesses in financial distress

- immediate financial support for to who have lost shifts in a highly casualised workforce

- mental health, wellbeing and business advice support services

At a future time, Council will work with all levels of government and the chambers of commerce to identify and advocate for longer term recovery support. We can provide further information over the coming weeks once we have a better understanding of the support required.

Previous experience with events like this has shown that businesses that can provide detailed evidence of the impact of the event on their financial and operational health will be best placed to receive financial support in the future (should it be made available).

We, therefore, advise you to keep detailed records and documented evidence of the impact on your business of the ongoing Porepunkah Shooting Incident. Data that you collect could include:

- Sales data comparing impacted periods with similar periods in previous weeks or the same period from previous years

- Records of fixed costs from closure or loss of customers, e.g., rent, salaried employees, fixed utility costs, etc.

- Records of variable costs, produce, wastage, casual employees, utility consumption, etc.

- Number of days casual employment was lost and permanent staff were unable to work.

If your business is in immediate financial distress, we invite you to contact any of the following:

Council’s Economic Development Coordinator, Jenny Bailey, at jenniferb@alpineshire.vic.gov.au or on 0408 400 659

Your local chamber of commerce. All chambers have been contacted and are willing to provide support regardless of your membership status

Kind regards,

Alpine Shire Council