Mornington Peninsula Mayor Sam Hearn has welcomed the announcement of compensation for local tourism accommodation operators who’ve suffered cancellations due to the lockdown of metropolitan COVID hotspots.
The State Government announced yesterday a new $5 million fund for regional businesses such as motels, caravan parks and holiday home operators to help cover lost revenue as a result of cancelled bookings from those living in Melbourne’s lockdown postcodes.
Cr Hearn said: ” I want to thank the Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula for ensuring Mornington Peninsula tourism businesses are included in the regional accommodation support fund”.
“We know our tourism businesses are struggling at the moment and we appreciate all the support they can get,” he said.
“The negative economic impacts of COVID-19 are forecast to be greater for the Mornington Peninsula than for Australia overall, with a predicted 21 per cent fall in Gross Regional Product, much worse than the 6.9 per cent drop forecast for Australia as a whole.”
“There has already been an 11 per cent drop in employment opportunities in the region, which foreshadows a bleak outlook. I look forward to continuing to work with the State Government to support our community recovery efforts.”
“I encourage the Minister to consider funding for a package of ‘investment ready’ projects we have ready to go, which would boost the local economy and create much-needed jobs. These projects will spearhead the economic recovery of the Mornington Peninsula region in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.”
“It is vital we retain and create jobs here on the Peninsula to ensure the region is able to withstand the economic impact of this crisis.”
