Valley doors open to welcome trade

BUSINESSES in the Huon Valley have been buoyed by resurgent trade over the long weekend but say the recovery battle is far from over.

Owners and operators face an uphill task to salvage the remainder of the peak tourist season after a bushfire shut down local towns.

Harvest and Light gallery and cafe owner Cassy Faux said the support from people travelling from Hobart, Cygnet and other places had been “fantastic”.

“We’re going to need support over the coming months,” Ms Faux said.

“People don’t have to spent a lot of money, just visit and spend a little.

“Buy a coffee or fill the car with petrol.

“Then it’s up to us to make you want to come back.”

Ms Faux reopened on Fri- day after her Geeveston business was closed for two weeks.

She said trade yesterday and Saturday was “brilliant”.

And while many may feel Geeveston has taken a hit, with fire damage expected to keep the Tahune Airwalk closed for an extended period, Ms Faux sees it as an opportunity to showcase what else is on offer in the area.

“It may be a good thing, we can all refocus and push everything else in the valley,” she said.

“The food scene in the valley is great.”

For anyone fearful the Huon is not worth visiting because the landscape was burnt, Ms Faux said there was nothing to worry about.

“You could drive from Hobart all the way down to Geeveston and you wouldn’t even know,” she said.

“Nothing is scorched, there are no burnt trees. It’s green, pristine and a beautiful river to drive along.”

Premier Will Hodgman has also urged fellow Tasmanians to spend some money in regional communities to help support areas affected by the bushfires.

“Tasmanians, if they want to help out those areas that have been affected by fires, one of the best ways they can do it is go down and spend some time in that community,” he said.

“Spend a few dollars and support them and their tourism operators because that will get them through this difficult period.”

Tasmanian Tourism Industry Council chair Daniel Leesong said there were very few businesses and accommodation providers around the state that were not actually open.

“Certainly support the local industry, it’s open for business and really get out there and enjoy the hospitality,” he said.