AFTER months of uncertainty, the Halls Gap community is ready to welcome back tourists.
Businesses and properties in the area came within kilometers of the flames as the fires peak in December, forcing residents and tourists to evacuate.
With things now returning to normal, business owners are calling for tourists to return.
Owner of Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park, Josephina McDonald said they are ready to welcome visitors back.
“The skies are blue and the birds are singing, yet we have no customers,” she said.
“We are blessed and grateful to have been spared from the fires, but it has scared away the tourists.
“The regrowth has begun and we are ready and open and want to encourage people to come back, it is safe and ok.”
Ms McDonald said it has been a journey to get to where they are now.
“The fire came less than one kilometre away from my property,” she said.
“There were a few scary moments, but we are lucky to still be here.
“Some lightning strikes on January 27 caused some fires to reignite but thankfully they stayed away.
“The smoke and watch and act warnings are what have scared people away.”
The fires and evacuation warnings have left businesses who rely on tourism to struggle.
The Grampians and surrounding regions rely heavily on tourism, and accommodation and hospitality have been particularly hit hard.
Ms McDonald said the town was feeling the pinch.
“Our money and resources are stretched quite thin,” she said.
“We are ready and open but with no tourists we can’t sustain our business.
“Our bank accounts are dry, and we have reached a point where we’re needing to borrow money.
“We are wanting to welcome back tourists and are encouraging people to book a stay as even the deposit will help us out.”
In an effort to draw attention to the situation and entice people to head down to Halls Gap Swan Hill resident Sandra Jewson, is pushing for people to head down.
“We as a town need to get down there as soon as possible,” she said.
“I am rounding up 20 of my friends to visit Hall’s Gap with me on a bus to visit on the weekend of February 28 and I encourage others to do the same.
“Businesses down there are losing staff as management simply can’t afford to pay them.
“If people don’t go down to support them, businesses will go under.
“Josephina put her heart and soul into her business and I want to be able to help her.
“They need the people back.”
With the smoke clearing and the forests around Halls Gap recovering, tourists are encouraged to return.
Ms McDonald said it is time for people to come see what’s happened.
“Just like the regrowth, we are also ready to sprout,” she said.
“New life and greenery are emerging through the burnt trees.
“It is a great opportunity for tourists to come and actually see nature heal.
“Come for a day or stay overnight and just admire nature as new plants sprout through the charred landscape.
“By coming down you are supporting locals while admiring the regrowth, it’s a win-win.
“Out of all this darkness comes a new light.”
While the Mallee wasn’t directly affected by the fires, Mrs Jewson understands the loss when a town experiences a natural disaster
As a previous owner of the river side cafe Spoons, she knows firsthand the effect of tourists staying away due to concerns for safety.
“During the 2011 floods, the media portrayed Swan Hill as a place to avoid,” she said.
“When in reality that wasn’t the case.
“I was having to reeducate people that Spoons was safe and open for business.
“And this is happening in Halls Gap.
“They are safe and open for business, and we should be helping them.
“We saw our sunsets turn bright red as a result of the fires.
“All you needed to do was look to see how far reaching the disaster was.
“The smoke had traveled hundreds of kilometres to Swan Hill where our sun created an almost apocalyptic atmosphere.
“They are our neighbours, and they were on fire, they need our help now.
“That community needs us and our support.”
Anyone who is willing to get involved in bringing visitors back to Halls Gap is encouraged to contact Sandra Jewson on 0447 331 885.
