The police operation in Porepunkah and Bright is ongoing, and it is unknown when this situation will be resolved.

Accommodation businesses continue to experience booking cancellations, and hospitality and retail trade is down significantly. In fact, we are now starting to see these impacts being felt in other ancillary industries and also further afield across the Alpine Shire.

Council understands that this uncertainty creates an extremely difficult business and trading environment. This means making decisions about managing cash flow, rostering of casual and permanent staff, and making opening/closing more difficult.

Potential Assistance Packages

Council has requested assistance from the Victorian Government to seek access to Victorian and Australian Government financial support for local businesses and workers affected by the uncertainty. The availability of support and the scope of this support is unknown, and should not be counted upon. Our aim is that this is passed straight on to those who need it most.

Council’s request has sought:

- immediate financial support for businesses that can demonstrate genuine need;

- financial support for workers who have lost shifts in a highly casualised workforce; and

- access to business advisory support services.

Free Financial Counselling Advice options

As a business owner, figuring out what to do next is your single biggest challenge. What we have learned from other disasters such as bushfires and COVID-19 is the need to start making decisions now. Talk to your bank, talk to your staff, seek advice from other business owners, reach out to the Bright & District Chamber of Commerce Inc. In addition, we highly recommend that you use these existing resources, which are ready to take your call. They have been instrumental during times of crisis in being a guide to help you make the right decisions at this time.

Small Business Debt Helpline: free, confidential financial advice from experts specialising in finance and debt management. Small Business Debt Helpline – CALL 1800 413 828

Rural Financial Counselling Service: free independent financial counselling to assist farmers, fishing enterprises, forestry growers and small rural-related businesses. Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) - DAFF

Financial Counselling Victoria: financial counsellors provide free, independent and non-judgemental information, advice, advocacy and support to small businesses and people experiencing or at risk of financial difficulty. Home - Financial Counselling Victoria

Local Business Support

Alpine Shire Council, the Bright and District Chamber of Commerce Inc., and Tourism North East are currently and continuing to make outbound calls to businesses to provide support where we can. We will continue to do this. We have also sourced some accounting advice who can help on managing cash flow.

Should you wish to contact any of these people directly:

Jenny Bailey, Economic Development Coordinator, at Alpine Shire Council jenniferb@alpineshire.vic.gov.au or 0408 400 659

Amanda Hore, Admin and Markets Manager, Bright and District Chamber of Commerce Inc. admin@brightchamber.com.au or 0402 890 940

Charlie Vincent, Head of Product & Industry Engagement, Tourism North East vincent@tourismnortheast.com.au or 0450 066 254

Kind regards,

Alpine Shire Council, Bright Chamber of Commerce, Tourism North East