Latest News
Russel Northe MLA:
Regional Roadmap Goes in Wrong DirectionConcerns for many local businesses with Regional Roadmap. By Portal Admin - 15th September 2020 - Back to News Member for Morwell, Russell Northe said he remains extremely concerned for the future of many local businesses following the Premiers announcement of a Regional Roadmap in response to the COVID-19 on Sunday.
Mr Northe said he had spent much time considering all elements of the Roadmap and had subsequently been contacted by a number of local business owners over the past 24 hours who had expressed their real and valid concern about the Governments Roadmap and the uncertainty that exists within.
The stepped process of the Roadmap requires a number of COVID-19 thresholds to be met before restrictions can be eased further which in itself is creating much angst and insecurity, and for a number of businesses the fear of permanent closure is real.
For specific businesses and sectors there is still considerable uncertainty about how they can reopen their business and when.
"For example, many personal service businesses strongly feel they can open their doors safely, yet under the Governments Roadmap regional businesses in this space will have to remain closed until at least 23rd November, 2020" Mr Northe continued.
"Likewise, the fitness, entertainment and hospitality sectors have taken significant hits in recent months and I really worry for the future of many" Mr Northe said.
"It makes no sense in many respects that a person can go shopping in busy supermarkets or hardware stores, yet one on one personal services like beautician services are not acceptable" Mr Northe said.
Business owners know how important workplace COVID safe plans are, and I believe the Government must start to have faith in our small business community.
For many businesses, overheads and ongoing costs are adding up which is no surprise given little or no revenue has been coming through their doors due to the restrictions imposed and the question of how many will survive is real.
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has today raised these same concerns across various media platforms.
https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/news/news-articles/broken-victorian-businesses-should-bespared-closure-costs-ombudsman
"Whilst the Business Support Fund and JobKeeper program have been beneficial in some cases; for many businesses the costs they have incurred far outweighs Government support provided over previous months and this is a terrible worry" Mr Northe said.
"And of course, so many employees are subsequently impacted by businesses having to close or limit their operations, and you just really feel for people and families who are going through such a difficult time at present" Mr Northe said.
"From a COVID-19 perspective, it’s imperative as I said in Parliament last week that the Government has adequate coronavirus testing, quarantine and surveillance and contact tracing processes in place in addition to ensuring the vulnerable are being protected including residents and workers in health and aged care settings" Mr Northe said.
"Whilst I understand the State Government needs to find a balance between supressing the virus or now it seems in eliminating the virus and imposing restrictions; businesses have relayed to me very strongly they just don’t understand the rationale being applied in a number of circumstances emanating from the Regional Roadmap" said Mr Northe
"And as I also said in Parliament last week if we are to live with the virus into the foreseeable future, then we can’t continue to lock businesses and communities down to the extent to what has occurred over these past months, as the impact will be profound in so many parts of our community" Mr Northe concluded.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
 If you are the author of this story you can edit it by clicking here
Related Articles- Regional Roadmap Going in Wrong Direction
Calls to review the thresholds that apply to the "Last Step" within the reopening roadmap to Regional Victoria. - Regional Travel Scheme Launched
Regional Travel Voucher Scheme launched with first 40,000 vouchers valued at $200 each available to be redeemed for travel between Saturday, 12 December 2020 and Friday, 22 January 2021. - Regional Victoria to Take Third Step
In the Third Step you can form household bubbles.which will allow households across regional Victoria to choose one other household to be in a bubble. You can visit them in their home and they can visit you – with up to a total of five visitors. - Regional Victoria robbed in big borrowing, big debt labor budget
Outspent on city-focused State Budget, delivered little for regional Victorians. - Regional Victorians still in a state of uncertainty
Government has not made agreements to make Victoria stable. - Regional Victoria must benefit from state budget
2020-21 Victorian State Budget should lay out a plan to restore Victorians’ lives and livelihoods. - Regional Victoria Moving to the Third Step
Victoria comes out of the second wave. - Separate Roadmap Needed for Regional Victoria
Letter to the editor on a separate roadmap needed for regional Victoria. - New Regional COVID Rules a Mixed Bag
Mixed views on COVID-19 restrictions for Regional Victorians. - Latrobe Regional Gallery - What's on in April 2021
Community’s response to Da Vinci and his machines. - Statement on Regional Victoria Moving to the Third Step
Towards recovery with the Third Step. - 2021 Latrobe Regional Galley new exhibitions
A fun and wonderful way to spend time with the family while expanding our creativity through art. - First Look at Latrobe Regional Hospital Expansion
Labor Government ensuring health services access to community - Amazing multi-million dollar Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre opens
Opening of a new recreational centre with wide array of health and fitness activities for people across the region. It greatly improve the well-being of community benefits and help economic growth. - Statement on COVID Restrictions for Regional Victoria
Regional Victoria re-entering Stage 3 COVID restrictions this week. - Northe calls for greater support for regional small businesses
Queries about small businesses that has not been answered by the government. - Long-lasting impacts of lockdown on regional Victorians
Our most recent lockdown may have lasted five days, but the impacts will be long-lasting across our regional communities. Is the local government's lack of pandemic preparation making our state suffer? - New Infrastructure for Latrobe Regional Hospital
Hospitals across the state will receive the latest life-saving medical equipment and upgrading vital infrastructure. - Da Vinci exhibition opens at Latrobe Regional Gallery
An event to witness the works of Leonardo Da Vinci, the world’s greatest mind. - Truth Masked by Minister on Mandatory Face Coverings for Regional Vic
Regional Victorians need to continue to wear masks. - Shocktober Campaign aims to help Save Lives in Regional Victoria
Ambulance Victoria are encouraging communities to learn CPR and how to use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), everyday 18 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest, this can happen to anyone anywhere at any time. - Latrobe City Releases Draft Investment Roadmap for Comment
Latrobe City Investment Roadmap - ready for public comment. - Low Cases Grounds for Early Mark for Regional Vic
Implement New South Wales restrictions in country areas. - Gippsland Sports Stadium Now Game-Ready
Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (GRISS) now ready for games. - Slam Dunk for Indoor Sports Stadium
Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium - Concerns over AFL Public Holiday
While some workers and employees will welcome the State Government’s decision to proceed with an AFL Grand Final Parade public holiday, given the Grand Final is most likely to be held interstate, is it necessary to have a public holiday in Victoria? - Picker grants barking up the wrong tree, growers say
Work force shortage still has not been resolved by the government. - National Water Week Festival goes online!
National Water Week is going online!
|
|
