THE federal government just launched a $1 billion emergency loan scheme for businesses hit by the Iran war fuel crisis. Most Maylands businesses don’t qualify.
The program targets freight, logistics, fuel and manufacturing. Not the cafe on the strip. Not the jeweller. Not the wellness studio or the independent dental practice.
For the small businesses that make up the heart of Maylands, the cavalry isn’t coming.
“Government loans are for businesses in freight and logistics, fuel, fertiliser and plastics manufacturing, which doesn’t help most community small businesses. Over the last two months, small business in Maylands have been impacted by rising costs and quieter trade,” said Paul Heatley of Halifax Advisory, Maylands accounting firm.
• Laurel and Luke from Modern Ritual Yoga.
Costs climbing
Costs are climbing, with delivery levies, higher transport charges, fuel surcharges passed through from suppliers. And customers are pulling back, exactly when it counts.
What those businesses do have is the suburb around them.
Your small, routine decisions add up to something bigger than you think. Checking locally before ordering online. Stopping at the local instead of the chain on the way through. Choosing what’s nearby over what might seem more convenient.
Across a suburb, those decisions determine whether businesses stay open.
“Most of what people are buying elsewhere already exists in Maylands, often closer and run by people who live in the area. If more locals made just one purchase a week in Maylands, the impact would be significant,” said Laurel, Modern Ritual Yoga.
Maylands businesses have started responding by looking out for each other by cross- promoting neighbouring operators and building visibility across the strip.
“Some people living in Maylands don’t realise what’s right here, no more than five minutes from home,” said Laurel.
The issue was never a lack of options. It’s always been visibility. And right now, with no government program coming to the rescue, visibility is what’s keeping the lights on.
“The businesses are already here. We just need people to notice and choose them,” said Paul.