Last week a number of Bairnsdale businesses were gobsmacked to receive notices from AusNet Services of a planned interruption to their electricity supply for Sunday, December 17, the second last Sunday trading day before Christmas.
Following representations by Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, the planned outage has been deferred to February next year and the affected businesses are breathing a sigh of relief that they won’t be closed on an important shopping day.
“While I certainly can't direct AusNet Services as to when they carry out their works, it was and is my responsibility to bring to the attention of their management the economic disruption and hardship that would be created if this outage went ahead," Mr Bull said.
“Having key retail outlets closed when we are promoting a shop locally campaign this Christmas sends a very negative message to shoppers.
“It gives the appearance that we are not really genuine about looking after local people and don’t value their custom, when that is absolutely not the case.
“Every dollar that is spent in East Gippsland contributes to the employment of local people and means that businesses can invest and grow the local economy.
“I am pleased and thank AusNet Services which has agreed to reschedule the outage to a time early next year when it won’t cause as much inconvenience to shoppers and detriment to business owners and I thank them for reconsidering," Mr Bull said.
Mark Hopley, Manager of the The Potted Pear said he was shocked by the news of the planned outage and is greatly relieved that it now isn’t going ahead.
“Our Christmas trade is building up momentum in conjunction with the shop locally campaign and it would have been devastating if it had to be put on hold on that Sunday,” Mr Hopley said.
Friday, December 8, 2017
