Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

For the first time in a long time there is an opportunity for the Douglas region to polish itself up and begin feeling positive towards 2022.

And in backing up her statement, Shirl Lyons, President of the Douglas Chamber of Commerce, said businesses are beginning to look positively to the future and towards the possibility of some stability in 2022.

“With borders open, we can now make the most of a likely increased domestic tourism/visitation albeit within the Covid-19 paradigm. There has been a plethora of property acquisition and investment by parties in the region and hopefully such investment will in turn lead to renovation and refurbishment,” she said.

But Ms Lyons is not overlooking the fact that businesses in Port Douglas have had limited opening hours due to lack of staff because of close contact issues.

“There have been business closures for periods of up to two weeks due to Covid, close contact and no or limited staff.

“The issues facing a number of Douglas region businesses is that some do have RAT tests which they give to their staff in the event of COVID. But we all also want to be able to take RAT tests from time to time to ensure that if a staff member is feeling poorly, that they do not have Covid.

“So, we foresee situations in the very near future that the inability to obtain RAT Tests will significantly fetter and likely impact operating businesses as well as the Covid affected,” said Ms Lyons.

It has been learnt that close to 50 per cent of FNQ businesses have experienced major or critical constraints on staff availability in the four weeks since Queensland borders re-opened and the impact of the Omicron strain emerged in the state.

Limited staff

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) data shows limited staff availability has most significantly impacted transport, postage and storage, accommodation and hospitality, construction, administration and support services and arts industries.

CCIQ Policy and Advocacy General Manager Amanda Rohan said 85 per cent of Queensland businesses had been unable to maintain normal operational hours or service delivery due to COVID-related impacts in the same period.

One in five businesses said they had experienced a critical constraint to their ability to trade as usual.

But Ms Lyons tempered her remarks by highlighting the many challenges shire residents face.

“Our supermarkets are very low in many products due to the transport issues, but also to limited staff able to stock shelves.

“Accommodation has slowed down and there are fewer entering the state, however, many are still self isolating and extending their stays.

“Managers have been pulling up their sleeves and cleaning rooms to manage the housekeeping shortages. No access to any type of government assistance will eventually and sadly cause many small businesses to close their doors. Who knows what is in store for us this year,” she said.

Clarity needed

Meanwhile, Ms Rohan said CCIQ had for months recommended businesses needed clarity and certainty around access to RAT as a first line of defence for their staff and to help them plan for workforce shortages, return to work and ongoing recovery.

“Now we’re at a crunch point and a lack of availability of RATs is hindering businesses’ ability to re-open and recover.

“Businesses and individuals need free and wide access to RATs to give them peace of mind in knowing they can confidently plan their future ability to reopen and remain open,” she said.

Ms Rohan said it was also important the isolation requirements of COVID-positive and close contact staff were consistently reviewed and essential industries were recognised.

“Employees need to get back to work as soon as practicable to allow the economy to get back to business, which we know national cabinet reviewed as recently as last Thursday,” said Ms Rohan.

Key figures

50% of businesses surveyed were experiencing major or critical staff shortages.
Impacted industries - transport, postage and storage, accommodation and hospitality, construction, administration and support services, arts and recreation.

40% said they had major or critical supply chain disruptions.
Impacted industries - construction, electricity, gas, water and waste services, wholesale trade, healthcare and social assistance, and retail trade

40% said they had a major or critical impact to their ability to maintain operating hours / service requirements.

Impacted industries - accommodation and hospitality, wholesale trade, transport, postage and storage, healthcare and social assistance.