Halls Gap businesses shut down by Grampians fire still waiting for government assistance

There are fears some businesses temporarily closed by the Grampians fire may be forced to shut for good.

Transcript

00:00Reopened, restocked and ready for customers, but here in Halls Gap it's not business as

00:08usual.

00:09We just need the tourists to come back.

00:10Almost a month since the Grampians blaze forced the town's evacuation, the smoke has cleared

00:15and the fire is contained, but the damage isn't.

00:19The losses are 30 to 35 percent, it's the biggest time of the year for all of us.

00:24Kerry Fry was preparing for her busiest season ever, then came the fire, threatening the

00:29both her Halls Gap cafe and her promonal home, which was just saved months earlier.

00:36Not only did we go through the February fires with no funding, we're also going through

00:41this as well with no funding and our income being very low with not many sales, sorry.

00:51There are fears some businesses could close, and while there is some relief funding.

00:55Getting the support out there to councils, the hardship grants.

00:58The disaster recovery payment.

01:00Many small businesses and foreign workers aren't eligible.

01:04Now we're not asking for millions and billions and trillions, we're just asking for a little

01:07bit of help to support the business to get through this dark period, and they should

01:10be looking after us, because this is the half-blood of Western Victoria.

01:14The state government can trigger relief payments for businesses and share costs with the Commonwealth.

01:20We offer support in a bipartisan way.

01:22The state government told the ABC the bushfires were devastating and it will continue supporting

01:28impacted communities, whether that's residents, tourism operators or other businesses.

01:33It hasn't ruled out extra support, but nothing's guaranteed.

01:37It's understood they're still assessing damage.

01:39In the meantime, the region is rallying.

01:43It's so inspiring.

01:45Locals just need visitors to join them.

01:47We're here waiting for you.

01:50With a glass half full.