By Oliver Lees
Businesses in the Macedon Ranges have been dealt a double-blow as harsh weather and ongoing COVID-19 lockdown restrictions impact trading across the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
Lancefield motel owner Danielle Crawford said she had to cancel all of her bookings after extreme rain and wind left her business without power for more than two days.
“We’ve been running the generator for a couple days, I’ve just had to go into town because there’s still no reception or internet on our property,” Ms Crawford said.
“We’ve had to turn away accommodation as well as [bookings for] our bar and restaurant. Thousands and thousands of dollars worth of food have gone to waste.
“It’s another blow.”
Despite an easing of lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne, Melburnians have still been barred from entering regional Victoria without a permit.
Country Cob Bakery owner Ryan Khun said the Queen’s Birthday long weekend is usually one of their busiest periods for their Kyneton franchise.
But he said without tourism from Melbourne his business would be taking a major hit.
“Things have improved a little now that we’re allowed to remain open but it’s still been much slower than average,” Mr Khun said.
“Normally we have lots of tourists at this time of year, but that’s not possible this year.
“On Saturday and Sunday [of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend] I’d say 60 to 70 per cent of our trading is from visitors.”
