The road to economic recovery for Ballarat businesses is still clouded with unknowns, but there's renewed confidence as the state steps closer to lifting restrictions.
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A Commerce Ballarat virtual event featured state Minister Martin Pakula as a guest speaker, who indicated the government would push for domestic tourism opportunities and council-led infrastructure works when current restrictions end.
However, any changes to restrictions would require advice from medical experts first, he cautioned.
That's good news for regional tourism operators devastated by the lockdown, and for other businesses indirectly, according to Red Lion owner Dave Canny, who hosted the morning event with Websters Market and Cafe owner Jane Meneses Lopez.
He's also the Victorian state president of the Australian Hotels Association.
"We're not trying to run the debate, just responding for our members to get some clarity and equip them to reopen," he said.
WATCH THE WHOLE DISCUSSION:
"It's also for the supply chains and food producers around the district that rely on pubs, restaurants, and cafes to be open - it's important for them to know as well."
Local government will also have a role in the rebuilding, both in stimulating the economy through infrastructure projects and in attracting visitors.
"We'll be relying heavily on leadership of councils here to reinvigorate the regions, and Minister Pakula was very clear on that this morning," Mr Canny said.
"He was telling councils 'tell us what you need'."
Commerce Ballarat chief executive Jodie Gillett said it was an encouraging morning for businesses.
"The message was very clear from Minister Pakula this morning that councils need to be clearly articulating their needs to government for projects that are ready to go in the near future - we will need to be realistic with our requests as Covid recovery has to be supported state-wide," she said in a statement.
"We believe a commitment to the completion of the Mair Street upgrade would be extremely well-received, (as) this project, along with the building of GovHub, will have a beneficial effect on our CBD.
"We must also communicate to both state and federal the importance of the completion of the Link Road. Other projects for the city on the radar are Bakery Hill early works, Sovereign Hill projects, and Victoria Park upgrades."
She said regional cities would welcome visitors when they are allowed to return.
"Obviously closed businesses from all sectors are looking forward to their chance to reopen, it is imperative that this is done safely as the last thing the business community needs is to have to close down again due to a second wave," she said.
"Initiatives from both state and federal governments have been welcomed but we do encourage government to continue to liaise directly with industry to iron out specific issues."
Minister Pakula said in a statement he encouraged ideas for infrastructure projects.
"This is a time to put forward good ideas for projects large and small to keep the economy ticking over," he said.
"Lots of small projects can keep lots of people in work, so we encourage councils and other bodies to be proactive."
When restrictions eventually lift, he added, Ballarat and other leading regional centres would be "major beneficiaries of that first wave of domestic travel".
"With international borders likely to remain closed for some time, we expect to see strong demand for places with the range of attractions that Ballarat can boast."
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